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During listening classical music you may enjoy with masterly playing of violin or piano or even drums. The musicians are doing really amazing work. And it is always interesting to ask, what this guy with baton doing? Is he really necessary? The musicians do all the job and he just wave with hands; yep it will be better to remove him… But when you do this you will notice that violin playing too fast, piano starting later and drummer playing with such enthusiasm that not hear anybody. As a result your lovely composition will sounds like an abstract noise in version of the same players. So the conductor is necessary to keep lots of not visible things together to make noise sounds like music.

The same things happen in software development. Work of software manager not so visible, he not produce thousands lines of code, or not catch hundred of customers but he keep not visible threads and conduct lots of thing, such as development, tech writing, sales, customer care, strategic planning, etc. Everything should work synchronously and sounds likes a music.

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In his article David mention that Production is a monster. Yes it is really so, and the name of this monster is “Lernaean Hydra”.

Is is extremely hard to fight against Production Hydra. In the place of cut off head appear two new, with canine, poison and red eyes. Only one human in the history was able to won it - this is Heracles, but… Even he wasn’t alone. His friend was helping him and scorch the neck stumps after Heracles cutoff the next head.

The Hydra heads are Research, Development, Deployment, Support, Sales… We are simple people, not Heracles. We call off teams of brave and wise warriors against each Hydra’s head. They are cutting heads every day, but new heads appear and appear again… So the raging battle continue, warriors cut Hydras heads and heralds glorify their deeds.

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In every team always exists person who play role of “Elder”. This can be a formal “Boss” or informal “Lead”. It is very good when one person play both roles, in other case may appear conflict of authority.

Who is “Elder”? Why is he need? Well, “Elder” is a top instance in hierarchy, flag-captain, chief justice, lead of horde. He define a course for all the team, his charisma charge team with the energy and belief in victory. His word always the last and it doesn’t mater if his decision right or not(in most cases it is right) team will accept and doing it, so ship will continue move forward and not get stuck in speeches and discussions.

Indeed this title put a seal or responsibility and require continuously assert it.

Picture from here

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