The correctness of the statements
Specialist’s opinion
Each offshore development specialist like analyst, designer, programmer or project manager have faced the complicated problem — unproven allegations.
Sooner or later, this happens … The client says something like:
Fix this and this. Oh, that stuff should be developed in a speciffical way that I find the best. You ask, why?
Because our decisions are the most correct decisions that can be made, that’s why.
And what the specialist do next?
Exactly!
The project manager or another person waste hours or even a days explaining and proving that the client’s way of doing things is a bit wrong and uncorrect and that it may cause material losses and other bad consequences.
After some time the situation repeats. And instead of doing helpful things such as development of the project people should prove that their methods are optimal. Again and again, day by day — time is running, the production stops, the result is not closer.
To solve the problem, let us turn to logic!
“The Russell’s Teapot theory” or “Russell’s Teapot ” is the closest parallel that may be given in this situation.
The analogy, given in 1952 by British mathematic and philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872–1970), to illustrate the atheistic ideas suites wonderful here!
… If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense …
Bertrand Russell 1952.
So, we have a knowingly false statement, and we can not prove that. Does it mean that this statement is true or not? To solve the Russel’s Teapot problem we should take into account the fact that:
The philosophic burden of proof lies upon a person making unfalsifiable claims
This rule is such a simple one to follow, that is oftenly forgotten or ignored by clients. Doubtlessly, the opportunity of asking for arguments to your boss or client may not be affored. However, you should always be in search of ways to make most of people you work with understand that all the controversial statements should be proven by facts!
This approach will lead you to a number of consequences.
You will:
- Spent less time distributing the product or service
- Make the teamwork more constructive and efficient
- Save your psychological health
