If you’re in a Software or Hardware Development Engineering Process or Measures group, you’re familiar with the usual complaints from engineers about measures they have to collect and provide to the organization. Even though the measures add value for projects and the organization, they are sometimes viewed as a mundane chore that is forced upon the projects by the organization.
This is a tip on how to improve some attitudes on this issue. It’s simple. Use the word “Forensics” instead of measures for the measures your engineers use for their own project analysis, monitoring, and control. Code Size Measure, for example, would be changed to Code Size Forensic. What you’d be doing is using “Forensic” as a Generative Metaphor: an analogy or metaphor used to 1) strengthen perspectives or understanding of something, and 2) constructively generate new perceptions, explanations, and inventions.In their book, Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath use the example of how Disney uses a Generative Metaphor very successfully with its employees. This is a quote from the book:
“Disney calls its employees cast members. This metaphor of employees as cast members in a theatrical production is communicated consistently throughout the organization:
- Cast members don’t interview for a job, they audition for a role.
- When they are walking around the park, they are onstage.
- People visiting Disney are guests, not customers.
- Jobs are performances, uniforms are costumes.”
So, if you start using this word, your engineers would be using Forensics, just like the popular personalities on TV shows like CSI Miami to crack the case, discover the problem, find the solution, etc. The use of the word adds professionalism, importance, and a bit of excitement. It is generative, in that there is an expectation: you don’t use a forensic measure unless you expect that it may be helpful in discovering something or solving a problem. This will enforce the attitude that Forensics are used to accomplish something, not just to collect dust in company archives.
There are several technical arenas that use “Forensics”, so we should also be able to use it with Engineering Measures!
- Criminal Forensic Science is, of course, the originating specialty – providing evidence suitable in a court of law for cause of death.
- Forensic Materials Engineering or Engineering Forensics is the specialty of providing evidence suitable in a court of law for the causes of equipment, materials, or structural failure.
- Chemical Forensics is the specialty of providing evidence suitable in a court of law for the causes of chemical damage, health issues, or injury. It also pertains to laboratory testing.
- Security, Computer, or Network Forensics are for examining computers or networks for evidence of security violations, hacking, viruses, etc. They use Forensics Labs as well.
I have used this with my clients and after they got past the initial explanation, they were comfortable and enthusiastic about it.
If you need help with SW Inspections or want to understand how they actually work visit my Peer Review Process ROI website. Your comments on this article are most welcome.
Joe Lindley
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