Into the happy time strutted No Load Norm and Ronny the Department Manager. (No Load Norm is supposed to be a computer programmer. The next working computer program that No Load Norm writes will be his first. Ronny is just a politician, who has never sold an initial contract to an outside customer. The two don't talk individually to the project team members. Neither of the two talks directly to me.
(I get a very bad feeling for what might happen.)
Ronny then makes a speech. "Well, you people turned out a good computer program. The customer signed off on the deliverable software and we are looking for a follow on contract. You worked hard, maybe too hard. I feel that things could have been done a bit more efficiently. We need to operate efficiently, if we are to continue to satisfy our customers, win follow on contracts and have more victory parties. I have talked with Norm and he has some very good ideas as to how your project team can work more efficiently and turn out even better computer programs, with less effort. Norm is going to be your new Project Manager."
(My possible promotion to Project Manager just disappeared, into thin air. I try to just sit and remain calm.)
Norm then makes a speech. "Yes, you people turned out a good computer program. The methods that you used to turn out the computer program are, unfortunately outdated. I intend to set up new, more efficient methods. You are going to need to adapt. Those who can't or won't adapt will be gone. The customer did sign off on the deliverable software that you produced and we are looking for a follow on contract. You did work hard, definitely too hard. From now things will be done a bit more efficiently. We must operate efficiently, if we are to continue to satisfy our customers, win follow on contracts and have more victory parties. I have researched the latest software production techniques and those are the techniques that will be used for my project. from now on. With the use of the new techniques, my project team can work more efficiently and turn out even better computer programs more quickly and at less effort. With me as your new Project Manager, there will be some changes made, good changes."
Roy, one of the senior programmers, asks, "You seem to consider personnel changes. Can we know what personnel changes?"
Norm says, "I will talk with each member of the current team. I will determine who will fit with the new, more efficient programming methods. Those who fit will be part of a dynamic new project team. Those who don't fit will need to be reassigned."
The members of the project team look at one another. The mood is one of despair. There will be new, bright young kids, who will work cheaper, while they find out which of the new wave programming techniques actually work and which don't. There will be a lot of cover letters and resumes in the mail tomorrow. Bright new ideas don't always work in the real world. Theory is often good and it can provide a path to the future. However, theory is sometimes bad and it can provide a path to bankruptcy court. In the meantime, computer programmers have rent to pay, food to buy and the many expenses necessary to maintain a middle class life style.
Norm looks at me and asks, "What do you have to say, Jim?"
I carefully say, "I have no idea exactly what changes that you intend to make. I have nothing to say, until I can review the changes that you intend to make."
Norm continues to look at me and says, "You can review the changes that I intend to make to my project." (The my is emphasized.) However, it's my project and what changes I make are the changes that you will live with."
I carefully say, "Again, I have no...