Re: how to be more careful

[Tom Lord]

       (process-related fiat is not so bad, is it tom?)

Fiat itself is not so bad in software engineering -- but it ought to
be responsive, responsible, competent, and coherent.  Process can help
to prove that fiat has been exercised with those qualities, and to
help it achieve those qualities.

Wisely executed fiat should decree intellegent and appropriate
process, as part of a system of establishing and maintaining
legitimacy.

Like any other part of software engineering, reasoanble process can be
faked well enough to fool an uncritical audience, or one unqualified
to make a competent evaluation.

Nothing is fool-proof.

An at least a minimally competent process will leave a detailed
record, suitable for external post-mortem analysis.

-t