Ugh, bossware.
I think we know bossware when we see it. Software that tracks your mouse movements or how often you’re online. Software that tracks your inputs and conflate that with productivity. Software for micromanagement.
There’s also a whole universe of software that can be used as bossware if you choose. The manager paying attention to the green dot on Slack. Or looking at the number of code commits you’ve made.
One way to tell is something is bossware (or is being used as such) is whether you can game it. You can buy tools that move your mouse around. You can make arbitrary commits. If it can be gamed, it probably means you’re measuring the wrong stuff.
Continuous Coordination is the opposite of bossware. Instead of micromanagement, the principles lead to full context for all. In helping the team understand the why behind all the work. In getting clear on the objective and providing latitude on how that objective is accomplished.
We’ve made Steady hard to turn into bossware. And we’re trying to communicate in no uncertain terms that if you want bossware, you’re better off using something else.
