One time I was with a group of senior executives and we were talking about a deadline. They were very interested in hearing when I thought this task would be complete. I walked them through the steps to complete the task: “first this, then that, then some other stuff, ….” when I threw in “and then shit happens” and then finally it will be ready. There eyes bugged out and looked amongst themselves like “Oh no you didn’t!”
Of course what I meant, which I explained, was that something always goes wrong. When it does it will delay the task, but it will not be a “show stopper”. We’ll adapt to the situtation, work around, over, or through the temporary obstacle, and finally complete the task. It was a choice moment. The looks on their faces was pure gold. I just didn’t feel like getting into the gory details so I , uhum, papraphrased. 
November 16th, 2005 at 12:45 pm
Actually, it gave me a good idea for the “two weeks ago meeting” that we never had and probably will not have even next week.
Anyways, we just migrate to the “latest version software” about 1 1/2 months ago and they asked me how long will it takes to migrate to the newest latest version released 3 weeks ago.
That’s when your explanation comes in “first this, then that, then some other stuff, then shit happens and then finally it will be ready”.
Gosh, it took us 5 month to migrate and it was already started. So, this one which changed from structured programming to OOP, is going to be a pain in the b*t.
Anyways, as long as they pay me…the show must go on!
November 16th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
Hello Kevin,
Last comment was mine…this sistem has some issues!
Horacio