The Death Star - The Ultimate Waterfall Project?

Saturday, April 15, 2006

James Higgs asks a great question: Was the Death Star built using waterfall?

My favorite part (quoting from the beginning of Star Wars Episode VI):

VADER: The Emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.
JERJERROD: But he asks the impossible. I need more men.
VADER: Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives.
JERJERROD (aghast): The Emperor's coming here?
VADER: That is correct, Commander. And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.
JERJERROD: We shall double our efforts.
VADER: I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.

This all sounds like a few status meetings I've been in. And I'll just remind you that despite this terrifying project management approach, at the end of the film, the Death Star remains unfinished and is blown up with the help of some little furry bears.

5 Comments

Entertaining comparison. I've witnessed last minute addition of team members in a clueless try to keep things on schedule, which actually ends up making things worse.

Alex Goncalves - Friday, April 14, 2006 2:59:00 PM

FYI, that wasn't Episode III, but Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

tbb - Friday, April 14, 2006 3:14:00 PM

Thanks for the correction, tbb. Can I ever regain my geek credibility?

Jon Galloway - Friday, April 14, 2006 3:21:00 PM

Although, the destruction of the DS wasn't due to its incompleteness. Its main weapon, the superlaser, was fully operational by the time the Rebels attacked.

Arild Fines - Saturday, April 15, 2006 5:34:00 PM

Arild -

True. However, it was obviously the wrong weapon. That's probably the biggest problem with a waterfall approach - even if you happen to finish on time, it's very likely that what you build doesn't actually meet the business need.

Jon Galloway - Sunday, April 16, 2006 12:06:00 AM

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