Comments on The Art of Engineering - Create better products: Are we chronically impatient?

Norio, Dave - thanks for the comments, I really li...

2006-09-07T20:23:00.000+02:00

Norio, Dave - thanks for the comments, I really like the thoughts behind them.

Dave, I really love your analogy of the kettle watchers and toast makers - it will stick in my mind for a long time!

I was at a seminar today and the guy was talking about the time it can take to do a certain software task (compiling code), and how much effort they put into reducing this time - so that less time can be spent at the coffee machine

After reading your post my mind put the two together, and I realised how many people there are who will just wait for the software to finish - they won't "make toast" as you put it.

I think the problem is people impliment a change, ...

2006-09-07T17:03:00.000+02:00

I think the problem is people impliment a change, and then sit around waiting for results.

Jim Collins talks about building momentum. When you are building momentum, you don't stop adding to the flywheel.

Kettle watchers get impatient waiting for the kettle to boil. Momentum builders make toast, feed the dog and put out the trash while the kettle is getting up to speed.

And there's a vast difference in results too!

I enjoyed reading this and I think you make some ...

2006-09-07T09:04:00.000+02:00

I enjoyed reading this and I think you make some very good points.

I'd like to contribute a thought -- I think that people are "chronically impatient" because of fear.

Fear of losing their job. Fear of not making enough money this month for their families. Fear of disappointing mom/boss/your significant other.

If you can find a specific fear and provide a solution to that problem -- you have a market. A hungry market!