Colm on Constant Work (2019)

> When I say a simple design, I mean a design that is easy to understand, use, and operate. If a design makes sense to a team that had nothing to do with its inception, that’s a good sign.

This closing line really spoke to me. Doubly so if one interprets "operate" as "maintain". Many of us have had a boss or engineering lead/manager who imagines themself like Rich Hickey, parroting with terms like simple and easy hoping for great praise and consensus.

In my career experience, nearly every time someone describes their ideas as simple they often aren't, and are using that term to try and force team acceptance of their design. Simplicity is something demonstrated or asked for, not declared.

Related:

Reliability, constant work, and a good cup of coffee - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34103426 - Dec 2022 (32 comments)