Have you heard a surgeon say, "I won't sterilise my tools, as patient won't let me"? I didn't, but I heard, multiple times, "Business won't let us add unit tests." Let's discuss how real this phrase is. Is it about business or about ourselves trying to run away from accountability?

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The post discusses the common excuse 'business won't let me' used by developers to avoid accountability for technical decisions. It emphasizes that technical experts should make technical decisions without deferring responsibility to non-technical stakeholders. The piece explores the difference between business requirements and technical implementation, advocating for honest communication about trade-offs and the importance of owning both successes and failures.

Business Won't Let Me and other lies we tell to ourselves

Pull quote: “If you build a technical solution you know is flawed, you own that failure.”
Great article.

Actually a very good read, and something many of us (me included) could probably stand to take a few pointers from.

That’s a very good point. Before we properly take responsibility for the technical part, we need to take responsibility for the project as a whole. That’s why I always criticize semi-software-house internal customer model that is present in many companies.

Very interesting article, especially as a Junior, as we maybe aren’t enough confident in our work and technical level to make these choices.

I feel poor or a lack of communication is usually the issue. I’ve never had a business stakeholder block good practices when it’s been explained to them what the risks are etc.