I despise end users

scaeagles · 06-06-2006, 10:08 AM

I suppose I shouldn't let this bother me, as this type of stuff keeps me employed.

I manage the programming and design of a financial system for a division of a defense contractor.

The users ask for things. I give the users what they ask for. Exactly what they ask for. They look at what I've given them. They tell me it is exactly what they asked for, but not what they want. So I have to change it.

This happens over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

I just spent a few weeks giving them an expansion of a certain financial report. It is exactly what they asked for. Upon reviewing it, they decided they didn't need it after all.

I've had year long project going on changing their financial account structure across the system. Upon completing it in a test environment/database, with everything converted and hundreds of programs modified to accomodate what they asked for, they've decided they just don't like the new structure and are going to change it again.

I'm glad I am employed. It would just be freakin' nice if SOMETHING I did for them SOMETIME they would ACTUALLY USE instead of constantly CHANGING THE FREAKIN' TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DreadPirateRoberts · 06-06-2006, 10:13 AM

Many times people don't know what they want until they see it. They may think they know what they want, but until they see it and can touch it, it's not real. It's an iterative process

Jobs like these are good to consult on, because they stay around a while. I hope it's not a fixed bid.

Capt Jack · 06-06-2006, 10:16 AM

I have no comforting words except...

yup.
you have my deepest empathies.

this one is on me

BarTopDancer · 06-06-2006, 10:16 AM

I know exactally how you feel. Really. I do. It's the wonderful world of IT.

Scrooge McSam · 06-06-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Jobs like these are good to consult on, because they stay around a while.

How right you are! "Scope creep" paid my bills for a couple of years back in the early 90s.

Moonliner · 06-06-2006, 10:18 AM

Scaeagles:

In order to help you on this all we need to do is use a bit of predicate calculus.
Let's break down your comments into it's symbolic roots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

A A defense contractor.

B They tell me it is exactly what they asked for, but not what they want

C over and over

D they decided they didn't need it after all.

Using the basic rules of induction then it is clear that:

IF A THEN B,C,D is an immutable true statement.

You either have pocket the taxpayer dollars with a smile or
find a new line of work. Personally I went with the latter and never looked back.

scaeagles · 06-06-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Many times people don't know what they want until they see it. They may think they know what they want, but until they see it and can touch it, it's not real. It's an iterative process

Jobs like these are good to consult on, because they stay around a while. I hope it's not a fixed bid.

I could buy that, except there is a design review process where they make a request and I basically give them an excel spreadsheet with the layout/information as I understand they want it. Real work does not start until it is signed off on. This is the standard IT CYA way of working, as I can show them that yes, this is what they asked for should they ever complain.

I realize the iterative process part....like I said, it keeps me working. Which is why I shouldn't complain. But it gets beyond frustrating to solve problems for them that they decide later they don't need solved.

And thankfully, I work on a time and materials basis.

scaeagles · 06-06-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

How right you are! "Scope creep" paid my bills for a couple of years back in the early 90s.

Scope creep....I can deal with scope creep. Deciding they don't want it or just completely changing the rules after a year long effort.....I guess I'm just having a bad day.

DreadPirateRoberts · 06-06-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I could buy that, except there is a design review process where they make a request and I basically give them an excel spreadsheet with the layout/information as I understand they want it. Real work does not start until it is signed off on. This is the standard IT CYA way of working, as I can show them that yes, this is what they asked for should they ever complain.

Sounds like you are giving them what they ask for, they just don't know what they want yet.

scaeagles · 06-06-2006, 10:25 AM

What you are saying is of course true......I'm just frustrated today.

06-06-2006, 10:08 AM	#1
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I despise end users I suppose I shouldn't let this bother me, as this type of stuff keeps me employed. I manage the programming and design of a financial system for a division of a defense contractor. The users ask for things. I give the users what they ask for. Exactly what they ask for. They look at what I've given them. They tell me it is exactly what they asked for, but not what they want. So I have to change it. This happens over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. I just spent a few weeks giving them an expansion of a certain financial report. It is exactly what they asked for. Upon reviewing it, they decided they didn't need it after all. I've had year long project going on changing their financial account structure across the system. Upon completing it in a test environment/database, with everything converted and hundreds of programs modified to accomodate what they asked for, they've decided they just don't like the new structure and are going to change it again. I'm glad I am employed. It would just be freakin' nice if SOMETHING I did for them SOMETIME they would ACTUALLY USE instead of constantly CHANGING THE FREAKIN' TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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06-06-2006, 10:13 AM	#2
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Many times people don't know what they want until they see it. They may think they know what they want, but until they see it and can touch it, it's not real. It's an iterative process Jobs like these are good to consult on, because they stay around a while. I hope it's not a fixed bid.
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06-06-2006, 10:16 AM	#3
Capt Jack check your head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,174	I have no comforting words except... yup. you have my deepest empathies. this one is on me __________________ a clear conscience is a sure sign of a fuzzy memory
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06-06-2006, 10:16 AM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I know exactally how you feel. Really. I do. It's the wonderful world of IT. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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06-06-2006, 10:25 AM	#10
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	What you are saying is of course true......I'm just frustrated today.
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