Explaining software development methods by flying to Mars

https://feddit.uk/post/13885378

Explaining software development methods by flying to Mars - Feddit UK

Edgy meme: Claims agile doesn’t work

NASA: “Yep, we are agile” ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/…/20160006387.pdf?att…

NASA also built the space shuttle, which was a plane that couldn’t fly by itself (as it was supposed to), was slower to turn around and more expensive than older equivalent technologies, and blew up all the astronauts 1.5% of the time.

I mean, they’re great at other things - who else could have made the JWST work flawlessly with one opportunity - but they’re a definite source of hype, and they do something very particular and specialised. Beware endorsements.

Edit: Fuck you, I’m right. Keep 'em coming.

I don’t even care about Agile either way. This just isn’t a good argument for it.

NASA also successfully flew a helicopter on Mars first try.

Yep. They’re probably better than anyone at making a complex system with literal moving parts that works 100% of the time, the first time. On a nearly unlimited budget, with a decades-long schedule. In an institution and culture that’s now a been around a lifetime, staffed with top-notch people.

That’s all perfect for what NASA does, but I wouldn’t recommend a management system that NASA uses to just anyone, just 'cause “da astronauts” use it. Not any more than I’d recommend drinking your own distilled piss to anyone.

I don’t really have an opinion on Agile, even, I just have a problem with selling it this way.

That’s fair enough. The common misconception is that waterfall is great for space missions, when NASA is doing agile.

I agree that not everybody is NASA, so what works for them doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.