Artistic Tools

How much of the nature of our software, its look and feel, the aesthetics, presentation, and capabilities, are determined by the nature of the tools that we use to create it? As developers, as artists creating works of interaction, data storage, and algorithms, isn't the result of our work as tied to our tools as a potter's works are tied to her clay and glazes? And hence we share pretty much the same neuroses with respect to our tools as any artist.

With a few clicks of a mouse and by dragging some widgets here or there, we can create full application frameworks. Then once inside the code we press "dot" and select from a list of actions. So we love our tools because they allow us to do in one hour what used to take us a full day.

At the same time however, if you want a highly animated presentation, then your tool might be ClearSlide. And if your application requires extensive analysis, dicing and slicing of multidimensional data, then your tools may include SQL and Cognos. And once you've chosen your tool and made your investment to learn its bells and whistles, woe be the time you need to develop something that your tool doesn't support.

The tools that you use define you nearly as much as your accomplishments. True artists define a unique style by developing their own set of tools. A structure, a methodology, a bunch of accouterments seem to create themselves a priori out of thin air and then this drives the subsequent creating. When you are developing you should always strive to increase the variety of tools at your disposal, and leverage them by finding ways to blend them and make them work together.

The Art in Change

In an earlier post I mentioned how a Business Analyst hooks up the creative talents with the business managers. Here we take a deeper look at the subtleties of this dynamic and reflect on the sociological influences that can determine its success.

Discovery (or requirements solicitation) is the stage where this dynamic plays out. Partly it's a shuffling of who knows what, as well as all of the political dynamics of control, job security, opinion, and hidden agendas. All of these make cameo appearances during the process.

Your role and title may indicate that you are simply writing a functional specification, but in actuality you are the director of a sublime process to keep the love and power flowing. To be able to effectively accomplish this you need both a mandate from a powerful source, as well as a higher set of guiding principles.

When you run into resistance from people who already have a vested interest in the status quo, sometimes you will have to appeal your principles to them, and sometimes you will need to invoke the big stick of your higher power. Nevertheless, always keep firmly in your mind the old saying that fools take to themselves the respect given to their office. Serve humbly and walk away leaving the place a better place than how it was when you started.

Artful Digression

This blog is focused on the art and science of software development, but I don't want to imply that the contents herein represent a full picture of a programmers life. A great deal of outside experience ultimately influences your qualities as a software developer. This varies by person and personality, but for me the key outside activities for success are reading and walking.

You should make an effort to discover various trade and technical magazines, even publications related to your specialty that you wouldn't otherwise consider visiting. You should make an effort to research the state-of-the-art in the business use of computers as well as strategic advancements happening in your industry and related industries. I also recommend a broad general reading background of a variety of magazines: you never know when a strange juxtaposition of unrelated ideas will lead to a new breakthrough.

I can't overstate the value of walking. Not only does it clear your head of the clutter and confusions of political interests, the rhythm of your legs and the change of natural scenery will make you more aware of the proper balances in design. It will help you create a more naturalistic and organic path for your growth. Walk. Read.