I just stumbled across this rich collection of quotes, billed as Software Engineering Proverbs (thank you, John Fraser) but, as you will see, of much more universal applicability.
My favorite of the moment:
Abraham Lincoln reportedly said that, given eight hours to chop down a tree, he’d spend six sharpening his axe. (TidBITS 654, quoted by Derek K. Miller, via Art Evans)
My favorite of the moment:
Deming’s 14 points
1. Create constancy of purpose.
2. Adopt the new philosophy.
3. Cease dependence on mass inspection to achieve quality.
4. Minimize total cost, not initial price of supplies.
5. Improve constantly the system of production and service.
6. Institute training on the job.
7. Institute leadership.
8. Drive out fear.
9. Break down barriers between departments.
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations, and numerical targets.
11. Eliminate work standards (quotas) and management by objective.
12.
Remove barriers that rob workers, engineers, and
managers of their right to pride of workmanship.
13. Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement.
14. Put everyone in the company to work to accomplish the transformation.
My favorite of the moment:
On the radio the other night, Jimmy Connors said the best advice he ever got was from Bobby Riggs:
– do it
– do it right
– do it right now