"It should just work." "All ya gotta do is..."

We've all heard this time and time again. For those of use who have spent much time in Software Development organizations, this battle cry is an anathema to those of us who like to have some proof.

Optimism is a wonderful quality. Sometimes optimism really is the thing that makes it all work. For example, although the American economy relies on fundamentals, we really can talk ourselves into a slump. We should also be able to talk ourselves out of one if the only real issue is that "we feel bad". Optimism and cheer leading are usually good things.

Delusion is not such a good quality. Development managers who assert in company public forums that "it will just work" can do a real disservice to an organization. Quality Assurance teams are now more on the defensive than they normally are. Developers may either pull back and be less diligent or they may freak out. They may pull back because of false confidence; they may freak out because they suspect it may not all "just work". Worse damage is in the expectations that have been set in upper management.

A falsely overconfident upper management may commit to schedules that can't be met and may even take on new business that can't be absorbed. The tone thus set can make it very difficult to challenge the assertion and assumption that everything is fine. No emperor or their entourage wants to hear about their nakedness. The longer this goes on, the harder a challenge is.

If you work with or for one of these optimistic managers, let them know what the facts are before they address the company or send out the "everything is fine" email.

If you are one of these optimistic managers, seek some facts first, even the unpleasant ones.

Remember, honesty is a good quality too.