When wrestling with technical problems or ideas, it is good to discuss with, argue against, present ideas to, and listen to your colleagues. This is true of anyone working in IT, but really important for the likes of database professionals who are engaged in a very rapidly-developing engineering specialism that demands that you keep up with techniques, technological advances and ideas. Often they don’t have the luxury of working in teams that have the same technical interests. It isn’t good to be alone with a tricky issue.
If you read the biographies of famous engineers of the past, you will discover a striking common feature of their work-lives. After a week’s work, they were likely to disappear off to a conference in the metropolis where they would discuss their work with their colleagues. It is a vital part of the creative engineering process.
It didn’t always go smoothly, I’ll admit. Frank Whittle, the inventor of the turbojet engine, presented the idea at a meeting of his professional association, only to be told in the subsequent discussion that the idea could never work. Brunel was told by the eminent Dionysius Lardner at a meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science that it was completely impossible for a steam liner to travel across the Atlantic.
Whatever the technology, engineers need to discuss ideas, and ask each other questions. A long time before the internet, engineers, whether mechanical, electrical, civil, semiconductor, software or any other activity spent just under a day a week in discussing their technology with colleagues. Some time ago, the professional engineer’s essential skill as ‘of closely and continuously following progress in his/her branch of engineering science by consulting newly published works on a worldwide basis, assimilating such information and applying it independently.’
Surely, in an age of the internet, with forums and articles, this is no longer necessary? Well, web sites can help, and discussion forums can work well if everyone understands ‘engineering etiquette’. Sites such as SQLServerCentral or Simple-Talk can contribute a great deal: PASS has an important place in giving presenters an audience, and providing opportunities to meet colleagues. However nothing can beat an active face-to-face discussion. Nothing clears the brain as quickly as having to get to your feet to explain an idea to others, or to justify an opinion. To have to argue a technical point is a sure way of honing your ideas. We are expected to know about a huge range of techniques, processes and procedures, but we all need help, advice and mentoring to achieve the best. I’ve been lucky in the informal professional groups I’ve been involved with over the years, involving beer and wide-ranging technical discussions and the huge value of sage advice on the other end of a phone. I can say that I’ve gained as much from this as from all the technical books I’ve read.
