The BS Line
Consider that everyone has in their mind a fuzzy line: On the left side of the line is what we like to call "the real work" (abbreviation: RW). It's what we get to do . It's the value we provide to the world. It is usually about 30-40% of the work we do, which pays homage to Gall's observation about the inefficiency of human systems. The stuff to the right of the line is what we call "bureaucratic silliness" (abbreviation: BS). It is the stuff we have to do. These are things we do out of obligation (when reminded), or to satisfy the internal "process police." These things feel like nonsense that we have to deal with because that's the price of being a developer, tester, manager, whatever we consider ourselves to be. The Difference We tend to take on Real Work happily and go right to it. It allows us to practice and pursue the skills that define who we are in the workplace. They further the goals of the company, the customer, a...