SPA Conference session: Why is Simple so Difficult?

One-line description:A discussion about simplicity and it's opposite.
 
Session format: Goldfish bowl (75 mins) [read about the different session types]
 
Abstract:A goldfish-bowl discussion about simplicity and it's opposite.
- What forces drive programming teams towards complication?
- What can we do to guide programming teams towards simplicity?

XP exhorts us to "Do the Simplest Thing That Could Possibly Work". XP's mantra is often (mis)interpreted as "Do the First Thing That Pops Into Your Head." "Do" is the wrong word. We should be be saying "Build the Simplest Thing that Could Possibly Work?" So much code we see is just not finished, it functions but has not been not been worked through to make it clear as well.

"Keep it Simple, Stupid!" say others. But programmers are not stupid. Quite the opposite. Are they bored by enterprise IT development? Do they create unnecessary complication to occupy their minds? Or do they act out of fear, adding complexity to protect themselves against the future? "Keep It Simple, Clever-Clogs!" might be more accurate, but doesn't make a very good acronym.

Complication is seductive. It feels good to be the hero programmer, the one who thought of everything, but anyone can write something that nobody else understands. Making something complex appear simple is much harder.

Postmodern programmers say "to hell with the unachievable goal of simplicity: embrace the messiness of the real world", but often create elegant, simple solutions.

"Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it." - Alan Perlis

"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap.

 
Audience background:Any SPA attendee
 
Benefits of participating:To go round this old chestnut once again and see if we can find good arguments for our faith in clean design.
 
Materials provided:None.

I will seed the Goldfish Bowl with some interested participants.
 
Process:Standard Goldfish Bowl.
 
Detailed timetable:
 
Outputs:I (or someone) will take notes and summarize the discussion on a flip chart.
 
History:New
 
Presenters
1. Steve Freeman
M3P Ltd
2. Nat Pryce
B13 Services
3. Giovanni Asproni
Asprotunity Limited