Is the glass half empty or half full? is a common expression, used rhetorically to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for optimism (half full) or pessimism (half empty).
What I'm wondering is how this should be used in projects? Should we be optimistic or pessimistic? I would be too easy to say that we should be neither of both as we are there to measure the "truth about quality". The thing here is that we are also working with people. And people have to be convinced, when you are too optimistic or too pessimistic they won't believe you. If you are neither of both, they probably won’t trust you.
I suggest being honest. Be pessimistic about the things which are going well beyond expectations and be optimistic about parts which unexpectedly are going different.
Don't use the half-filled glass metaphor, be honest and create room for the natural optimistic and pessimistic people.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The glass is half full or half empty
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Most testers prefer facts over fiction
ReplyDeleteProjects are often about politics. I do like honest politics, but too often it is about how you package the message and present it.
But in the long run I vote for your honest version! Yes We can :-)