DelusionalTitles

Laurent said ... "Of late I have become quite leery of "essence-seeking" definitions. My official title has been for two consecutive jobs, "Architect" - not even "Software Architect", mind you, such is the arrogance of our profession."

I personally feel that "software engineer" is another such title.

What other titles have you seen that speak to this?

DonGray 2002.08.20

I used to call myself "Software Developer" until I studied up on software engineering -- then I felt I could call myself a Software Engineer (and conform to the job title everyone else is using).

It seems like there is a tendency for anyone with the title Architect to be arrogant, but maybe this is only for certain companies...

KeithRay 2002.08.20

They always say the highest rank in the army is "civilian." Along that line, my particular delusion is that I have no title. - JerryWeinberg 2002.08.20

I want to know about when titles weren't delusional! As far back as I can remember, job titles in DP, MIS, IT were always differentiated merely to justify a pay scale. There were rough families of jobs: analyst, programmer, manager; but in order to hire good people, unique position descriptions had to be invented to justify offering salary.

I don't think I've ever seen enough title consistency to tabulate between companies - you always have to summarize to a more generic title first.

Of course, if you start believing your own propaganda, like G.W. Bush does, perhaps you too believe that the title bestowed means something.

--BobLee 2002.08.21

Anyone ever notice that the further away from the start of a waterfall project, the lower the salaries and status?

(begin)

Analyst $$$$$
Architect $$$$
Designer $$$
Programmer $$
Tester $

(end)

KeithRay 2002.08.20

Gee, my recent searches in the NorthEast show:

Architect $$$$$
Designer $$$$
Analyst $$$
Programmer $$
Tester $$

Curious.

BeckyWinant 2002.08.21

If you're on an unmanageable project, or one that is beyond your capabiity to handle, "Manager" can be a delusional title.

DaveSmith 21 Aug 2002

Keith, you just gave me another reason why Testers should start at the beginning of the project :)

SherryHeinze 2002.08.21

I think Keith hasn't carried it far enough:

Bankruptcy Specialist $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

JerryWeinberg 2002.08.21

Golden Parachutiist $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

BobLee 2002.08.22

Bob

>Of course, if you start believing your own propaganda, like G.W. Bush does, perhaps you too believe that the title bestowed means something.

So, if a fool with a tool is still a fool, are you trying to say a fool with a title is still a fool? ;{)> DonGray 2002.08.22

Becky: don't confuse me with the facts! :-)

A recent StickyNewsletter a week or two ago said that some testers are getting paid less than supermarket baggers (the often-temporary part-time workers that put groceries into bags after the checker records the prices.)

I'm trying to get testers assigned to an XP project, but I'm told that I can't because "it isn't finished yet!"

KeithRay 2002.08.22

Silly boy! Go down to the local supermarket with some pocket change and hire your own! - JerryWeinberg 2002.08.22

Keith and Sherry

I agree 100% that testers should be involved early. I always wanted to pull testing into analysis. Some companies I got a half day with testers, some companies looked at me like I was nuts and said they weren't available, (Probably in the back room packing groceries).

I remember working in a company (small) where a friend, Roland, asked for the option of choosing his own title. He chose "functional factorum". The following year, I think he changed it again to something equally unuseful to corporate types.

Some time ago I met a guy whose card was just FILLED with all kinds of titles/ roles he performed.

I always like filling out forms where I can chose the option "other" when asked for title.

- BeckyWinant 2002.08.23

I knew a guy at Aetna who saved money on business cards -- advertised himself as "Dave Stewart: System Programming and Auto Body Repair"

I wasn't much impressed with either skill nor his knack at snappy business cards, either!

- BobLee 2002.08.23

Well, I'm now advertising my services under the deluded title "Consultant". I try not to take this too far - my business card doesn't carry a title. It has my name, two bits of contact information, and the following delusion-dispelling AncientWisdom :

If you don't think carefully, you might think that programming is just typing statements in a programming language. -- Ward Cunningham

LaurentBossavit 2002.08.26

Quality Assurance Director (in a software company) is my favourite delusional title. When I had that title, I had about as much chance of directing that any quality got assured as of directing a cat to sing Lohengrin while flying to the moon.

Quality Advocate might have been more accurate, or -- on bad days -- Chief Licensed Pain in the Behind -- or Scapegoat du Jour.

FionaCharles 2002.08.28

Fiona,

Your alternative titles suggests a whole new category: Painfully Honest Titles! I think I've held a related position: Chief Pain in the Behind ( a non-licenced position). This meant I had to develop my own script.

I have a friend who "Reads, Writes and Dispenses Advice" and this is a full-time paying position at a major corporation.

- BeckyWinant 2002.08.28

I came across this thread whilst searching for any threads with a political bias, bearing in mind the US Elections that are in full swing as I write.

One of my favourites was from Xerox, who had a President of Strategic Business Units. Those would presumably have been those whose mantra was "please add toner"?

But then perhaps everyone with the word President in their job title is delusional?

PhilStubbington 2004.10.31

Updated: Sunday, October 31, 2004