ISO 9000 rant

Posted by nuxi on 2008-Jan-21 at 00:58:36 in Computers (Login to reply)

Since working on FADECs for 8 months and participating in the subsequent FAA audit makes me an expert, I've been asked what I think about the crash. Sadly I can't provide any better insight than what you can find in the news. The short version is the both engines failed to respond to both an automated and manual request for more thrust which resulted in insufficient thrust to allow the plane to reach the runway. The passengers were lucky they had a pilot who was good at flying a brick. If you want to know more you'll just have to wait for the official accident investigation report.

Although I can't provide any specific insight into this crash, I would like to take a moment to talk about software engineering and the obession with ISO 9000. This really doesn't have anything to do with the crash, I just like excuses to rant on topics.

ISO 9000 is not about producing good code its about producing consistant code. No amount of process can replace the knowledge required to produce good code. The belief that consistancy means quality is hardly unique to engineering. This same belief is contained in the adage "Practice makes perfect." My band teacher used to say "Practice makes permanent" instead because all practice does is teach you to do it consistantly. Consistancy is only a virtue if you aren't a screwup.