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this post was submitted on 04 May 2024
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This is a bigger problem than tests.
You're presenting a solution for a problem that the team either does not see as important or doesn't think exists at all.
You need to demonstrate the value the solution can bring to them on their terms.
You mean things going over estimates or SM/EM complaining about it?
Definitely it's a known issue, and I think people think it's semi-important. Feels like every other standup has a spiel from the EM about "we need to test things, stop breaking things, etc.".
Whenever I argue on their terms though, I quickly "lose", because business terms seem to be, "agree to everything from the business, look busy, and we will have time for IT concerns (i.e., testing) when we are done with business projects for the year (i.e., never)."
If I want any meaningful change, I think it will need to be be something I work around management on.
The combination is bad.
If you see it as an argument, you're not going to make headway. I would also question your assumption that you are correct about what their terms are. By this, I mean are you sure you understand what they value and prioritize? People often say that something is important, but show that something else is even more important.
It may need to start that way, but getting the team to buy in will take building trust. Which might be eroded down due to the consistent failure to meet estimates.
I'm not really sure what there is to do about that, then. My own project is already is about to hit 3 years on something that was intended to be <1 year total, due to constant scope creep. Nothing bad seems to ever come out of the delays though, so I tend to ignore most of the complaints.
I don't really see it as that. "Discussion" is more what I try to do. But you are correct that I don't think I can argue on their terms.
Probably not exactly, but my point is that the priorities technical leadership says we value (quality, scalability, fast iterations), run counter to what we actually prioritize. I often ask why we prioritize Project X over Project Y and the answer is almost always a variation of:
Which is why I said our priorities are more about appearing busy and important than anything else. (My own project isn't even wanted by most business users. It was spearheaded by the VP of IT as a huge technical modernization effort despite doing almost nothing to improve or get away from the legacy system it is "replacing".) So I think the reason I have such trouble getting buy-in is that better testing runs counter to IT's true priorities, even if it provides business value.
Perhaps. But trust is already pretty darn low for that very reason.
Maybe it's time to start looking at other employers. The culture there doesn't seem to fit with your values.