The Methodologists’ Solution

For years, methodologists have told us that the way to clean up the software
mess is to learn from other engineering disciplines, and we have gone along for the
ride. Other engineering disciplines would never accept the sorry state of affairs that
exists in software. If engineers, or even house builders worked this way they'd be
bankrupt in no time flat. Methodologists tell us that we should learn from them.
What do other engineers do? They spend a lot of time gathering requirements to
make sure they understand what the customer wants. Next, they figure out the
needed raw materials and how to assemble them, culminating in some standard
diagram. After reviewing this diagram carefully they approve it and get down to the
business of creating something real. The product undergoes rigorous testing and
inspections to make sure it's acceptable before any end-customer gets hold of it.
They can't afford to miss their estimate by very much, or so the theory goes.
So, the methodologists say, we should build software like civil engineers build
bridges, to pick one example. After all, they've been doing what they do for far
longer than "software" has even been a word. Using their approach will make us
successful. We'd be arrogant and foolish to think it should be done any differently.
As the British say, this is utter tosh. It's bunk. Let that sink in.