Pick Two

I learned a new phrase:

You can have it Fast, Good or Cheap so pick two.

It seems this is an accepted statement in the software engineering world. Because most firms are working on multiple projects and because good quality software takes a very long time clients have to be realistic on time, quality and price.

Good + Fast = Amazingly Convenient:
Good and fast means that the company is going to stay up all night, every night getting your stuff done. As such it is going to cost you a butt load. If you can afford it this should be your first choice. Sadly people can't always afford this option.


Good + Cheap = Amazingly Slow:
Good and cheap means the company is going to make your product right but they aren't going to spend all their man power on it. This option is the second best and sometimes the best if there is a large time window. I would predict that most video games are made in this category or the one mentioned above.

Fast + Cheap = Amazingly Inferior: 
Fast and cheap means the company isn't going to focus so much on quality. While your needs may be met to their fullest there is no guarantee that it is going to be done well. This option will most likely get you a working product that you can attempt to use. This category will most likely result in buggy programs. Choosing this two options is like telling the company that you want it now but you don't respect them enough to pay full price. You aren't going to like the result. 

Some people might read the above and think it is a little harsh but its true. It is important for a company to realize that coding isn't something that takes two hours. The engineering of software is a tricky and fickle mistress.

- A. R. McGowan.


there isn't enough time or money in the world...