• by idunno246 on 9/30/2022, 6:15:51 AM

    At a smaller company, definitely not. The focus changed at least yearly so planning that far out was fruitless. The one year plan was see what is making money and do more of that, keep the lights on, and try a couple quarter long experiments.

    At the last big company, yes I was part of a multi year initiative. Part of that is probably mythical man month, we just couldn’t execute quickly. There were many teams and layers and dependencies that needed coordination, scheduling, headcount. Part was there’s enough legacy stuff that is core and can never break that every step had to be derisked a ton.

  • by joshxyz on 9/30/2022, 10:53:31 PM

    Yes, and i write notes about. Things may happen and change, some may be fruitful and not, but the best part is i get to look back at that notes and fill in the gaps if i tend to want to work on them now

  • by kimburgess on 9/30/2022, 12:06:53 PM

    Yes. I work on systems that involve both physical and software components. Their design life is 7 years before replacement, which means in reality they may still need to be operational in 10. I can't predict the future any more than anyone else, but it's a enjoyable exercise to explore what branches it may take so that the physical components are adaptable to possible needs they may need to serve within that window.

  • by aaronbrethorst on 9/30/2022, 12:38:36 AM

    When I'm working on a side project, I sometimes only have a few hours a week to invest in it. It can take years for the project to be completed. If I want to have any hope of completing the project, I need to be able to plan for multiple years of slow and steady work.

    This has gotten easier for me as I've aged (I turned 40 this summer). I'm not sure I could have sustained that level of focus in my early 20s.

  • by f1shy on 9/30/2022, 6:03:08 PM

    Yes, I do plan. And I try to do things better, more efficient, or nicer. I do not think of making investors richer, but just as putting a little bit to make a better world.

    I often start projects in the silent, and when they are mature enough, I present them. This helps to the carrier (yourself) and because I choose what to work in, it is very enjoyable.

  • by pkrotich on 9/30/2022, 1:00:57 AM

    I think you’re confusing mission / vision (long term) with work / goals (short term in nature).

    Buy into the mission / vision of the organization/ what you do and the void will be filled and work becomes part of it.

  • by herbst on 9/30/2022, 7:34:05 AM

    I work on my own 'side projects' as a job and I definitely do have a plan how every product could look like in a year from now.

    Never had that in a company tho.