Accurate Self Assessment

Accurate Self Assessment
From Apprentice to Journeyman : Dave Hoover : Home

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vvv

Despite your inexperience, you have begun surpassing your colleagues.

Humility is at the heart of Apprenticeship, specifically this pattern. The early successes that many software developers experience can destroy the humble attitude that a successful apprenticeship requires. Jerry Weinberg describes the road to mastery as plateaus and ravines. As you reach new plateaus you must maintain your humility, it is far too easy to become impressed with your ever-growing abilities. From Becoming A Technical Leader...

"I can still remember how splendid it felt to be the best IBM 650 programmer in San Francisco, more than a quarter-century ago. This is the typical feeling in the middle of the plateau stage -- smug satisfaction." p. 42

Therefore:

Measure your progress relative to Master Craftsmen, not the industry average.

vvv

Maintaining an Accurate Self Assessment allows you to Use Your Title and continue on The Long Road.

An Accurate Self Assessment allows you to Construct A Curriculum appropriate for your level of mastery.

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kent wrote...

Reference Dijkstra's "The Humble Programmer", http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/EWD/transcriptions/EWD03xx/EWD340.html

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