I wish more employers would provide the opportunity for system developers to actually perform the end user’s job. Or at least shadow them. This would lead to much better product.
In many cases that I’ve witnessed the developers are prevented from any direct contact with the client. Everything had to be done through managers or third parties, leading to miscommunication, confusion and delays.
Bob Slydell : What you do at Initech is you take the specifications from the customer and bring them down to the software engineers?
Tom Smykowski : Yes, yes that’s right.
Bob Porter : Well then I just have to ask why can’t the customers take them directly to the software people?
Tom Smykowski : Well, I’ll tell you why, because, engineers are not good at dealing with customers.
Bob Slydell : So you physically take the specs from the customer?
Tom Smykowski : Well... No. My secretary does that, or they’re faxed.
Bob Porter : So then you must physically bring them to the software people?
Tom Smykowski : Well. No. Ah sometimes.
Bob Slydell : What would you say you do here?
Tom Smykowski : Well—well look. I already told you: I deal with the ___ damn customers so the engineers don’t have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?