Jim Michmerhuizen wrote:
> On Wed, 1 Nov 1995 DwBuff@aol.com wrote:
>
> > What I have not seen suggested in the literature or in conversations is
> > that we attempt to understand (measure does fit my paradigm for this
> > upcoming thought) if people are enhancing their capacity to create by
> > noting words, stories, patterns, used by folks in their interactions.
>
> I like that. Isn't there a whole domain of NON-QUANTITATIVE measure for
> us to talk about here? Every one of us, every day, executes thousands of
> these estimates: so-and-so is more boisterous than usual, the meeting was
> quiet, have you noticed how the boss is changing over the past couple of
> weeks. And I think you've identified the elements by means of which we
> make these "measures": words, stories, patterns of interaction, gestures,
> the music of the voice... .
Weinberg talks about this to good effect in the books that Johanna Rothman
recommended -- Quality Software Management, and particularly volume 2,
First-Order Measurement. I think that these books have a lot to offer,
even if you're not working with software development.
Here's Weinberg's Rat Hair Rule:
What you observe may be indirect, and may not even be
explained rationally, but the observation is ok if it
leads to the right control action.
For example, you can get lots of data from what people say and do
a project. Although these data are not very price, they can be
very powerful when combined with the right models. When, for
instance, I find that people in a project are grim and lack a
sense of humor, this tells me that the organization has passed
a critical point....
(Weinberg, QSM vol#2, P. 33)
-- "Rachel Silber" <rachel@ontos.com>