Software Delivery Games - Javelin Throw

Part of a series where we compare software development to the Olympic Games... just for the fun of it.

Previous Posts: The 4 x 100 meter relay

The Javelin Throw is basic in nature. The athlete starts running towards the line to build up momentum and then throws the javelin (think of it as a spear if you have not seen one) as far as they possibly can.

There are a couple of gotcha's though: For one, the athlete cannot cross the white line to which they are running as this will lead to the throw not counting. The javelin also needs to land within the two white side lines which broadens (opens up) from the departure point.

There's not much in it - but good execution is all about preparation, technique, strength and timing.

I would like to compare the javelin throw to the delivery or deployment stages of a software product or system.

When you are planning a release, you have to think and prepare like a javelin thrower. All of their strength exercises and training throws are repeated over and over and over, until they know exactly how their run and throw feels, and until their upper body strength is enough to throw the javelin far, but also to enable them to stop before they pass the white line.

You need to know your product or system, train your deployments, practice your implementation somewhere before coming to the arena to showcase the best of you. If you are comfortable with your product you will have fun deploying it and you will be able to follow what you have trained - also enabling you to better respond to unforeseen scenarios.

A big factor in javelin throw is the last couple of meters before the line. You need to keep it open. Javelin throwers need space to stop. They need to use their strength and balance to fight the momentum and bring themselves to a halt.

In software development we need to enable enough space (in most cases time) to be able to complete our delivery with comfort. We cannot run at full speed to the line and then expect to stop before it. This happens to athletes as well, when they push to hard, they sometimes cross the line.

We need to be comfortable enough with our delivery and know our boundaries. It is important to plan ahead, visualize our delivery and deliver before the deadline so that we have time to stop, finish, finalize, find balance before we cross the line.

Delivering your product with confidence could and should be a very important health check - to evaluate how the rest of your SDLC prepares you for the "moment of truth"