Measure Thrice, Cut Once
Make sure that your designs are accurate.
Like almost every homeowner I know, I’ve become a de facto handyman. But while I enjoy it, I don’t consider myself especially good at it. Truth be told, there are a few extra holes in the walls of some of the places I’ve lived in. For this reason, when I bought my new home a couple of years ago, I decided that I wanted to teach myself to do things right the first time. I wanted to approach my little jobs with a healthy sense of my own limitations in the mechanical realm. Now I will often sketch out what I want to do on a piece of scrap paper, and then come back to it later to see if I can re-create the logic that got me to those measurements. It’s working! My life is not perfect, but more projects are going in right the first time: It’s very satisfying.
When designing large information systems, a confusing specification or a misplaced line on a diagram might cost an hour or two of the architect’s time to research and fix during design. During systems integration testing, that same error might cost that same architect’s hour plus 50 to 60 hours for developers, testers and other resources. It might even result in a delayed implementation. The first time you see this happen, it is a bit bone-chilling. Frankly, it’s an experience I would much rather avoid. For this reason, spending a bit of extra time during design to chase down any niggling doubt should be a non-decision. Of course, we can’t rule out every possible error (we remain human), but developing an instinct for what needs to measured again is part of what makes us valuable – along with the discipline to insist on it when needed. Pick up the phone. Send the extra email. Set up an additional half-hour meeting with that one subject-matter expert who missed the design review. Keep wandering around to that developer’s desk until you catch her. Go ahead and make yourself take that third measurement, just to be sure.
For me, the home handyman experience has helped re-enforce good work practices in the professional space. It seems that there is a need to visualize each design in a way that says: “This is the center of the clean, white wall in my living room. I have measured this carefully. I know I need to drill right here. Yes.” There will be no extra holes. And it will be very, very satisfying.
Tristan Stull
Latest posts by Tristan Stull (see all)
- Measure Thrice, Cut Once - Sep 12, 2011