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Verschlimmbesserung: The Word Your Software Updates Need

This insightful piece introduces the German word "Verschlimmbesserung" to perfectly describe software updates that, despite good intentions, only make things worse. It argues that misaligned metrics and an overemphasis on constant shipping often drive these counterproductive "improvements" in the tech world. The story resonates deeply on HN by articulating a common frustration with unnecessary software changes and the neglect of stability as a core feature.

12
Score
2
Comments
#12
Highest Rank
14h
on Front Page
First Seen
Aug 28, 4:00 PM
Last Seen
Aug 29, 5:00 AM
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The Lowdown

The article unpacks the German word "Verschlimmbesserung," defining it as an attempted improvement that ultimately worsens a situation. This concept is specifically applied to the pervasive issue of software updates that break workflows, rename features, or solve problems that didn't exist, leading to user frustration. The author posits that this phenomenon is not a failure of engineering teams but a direct consequence of how they are measured and incentivized.

  • The Problematic Update: "Verschlimmbesserung" describes software updates that aim to improve but result in a poorer user experience, often seen in SaaS products.
  • Measurement Dictates Behavior: Drawing on Eliyahu Goldratt's principle, the article asserts that teams will optimize for the metrics they are given, regardless of whether those metrics genuinely lead to product improvement.
  • Shipping for Shipping's Sake: When point releases and constant reinvention are prioritized, teams are incentivized to ship new features even if they don't enhance the product or provide real value.
  • Stability as a Feature: The piece emphasizes that stability is a crucial, often undervalued, feature, and knowing when not to ship an update is a sign of engineering maturity, citing older, stable software like Office 2003 as an example of enduring utility.

Ultimately, the author encourages the adoption of "Verschlimmbesserung" to articulate and address the prevalent issue of detrimental "improvements" in software development, urging a reevaluation of what truly constitutes progress.