Broken Software Development Process

I have previously written about my past and events that shaped who am I today. You should also know about my soon approaching trip. Today I want to write about how I feel about the software development industry:

Photo by Nesster - http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/3168425434/

About a year and a half ago I realized my discontent with the software development industry. I realized that is a very broad statement. In short, I am over the whole process. Both as a full-time employee and freelance developer. As an independent contractor, making sure the client is happy and fully understands the process has always been my priority. Honestly, no matter how much I tried, this task usually proved to ineffective. Working as an employee for previous companies has not been much better. The projects are always last minute, with extremely short deadlines. This is very stressful and it guarantees that the work is rushed and not properly crafted. Bug-filled, untested, throw-away software is not fun to work on or support.

By the end of 2009 I had enough. This was not the life I wanted. The problem is once you sit behind a desk for 10 years your vision becomes a bit blurry. You work thru the same problems, staffing issues, crazy deadlines, bugs. Too much of this and your creativity is shot. Your motivation is non existent. I knew I needed to reload.

My discontent with the software development industry has been one of the major motivators behind my desire to take this trip. I am looking for new challenges, and thinking of a new approach to software development. An approach that naturally allows for good software to be produced.

Would love to hear your thoughts about the matter.