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Playing the devil's advocate here: if contractors self-select themselves out of being hired because they're not sure they can get the job done, then all the bet

by ksmiley 13y ago

Playing the devil's advocate here: if contractors self-select themselves out of being hired because they're not sure they can get the job done, then all the better! The remaining applicant pool will be stronger on average.

niuzeta 13y ago
seconded. I wouldn't even have to quote Machiavelli to say that it's important to show your future contractors(or your peers) what you are capable of, to force them to think twice before arranging anything with you. Will it reduce the number of incoming contractors? Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? Very likely.
- mindcrime 13y ago
  Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? I doubt it. They're just as likely to be selecting for future contractors who are overly confident / cocky by nature, and/or ones who don't understand how to estimate software projects, and who don't have a good feel/understanding for the risks involved.
- darkarmani 13y ago
  > Will it reduce the number of incoming contractors? Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? Very likely. Wouldn't it more likely select contractors that have good liability shields and get to charge a premium for working for an asshole company because there are less people willing to do the work? This is how patent trolls are set up with no assets to lose.
r00fus 13y ago
No the applicant pool will be more bullish. In many cases that might mean weaker (i.e., unable to estimate work effort properly).
comrade_ogilvy 13y ago
They may be stronger, or maybe not. They certainly will learn to inflate the price to include lawyers fees. Are you hiring a contractor to get work done? Or are you allowing the head of your legal department to pad his resume, while your department is paying for many in house lawyer hours plus (via the contract) many out of house lawyer hours?

by ksmiley 13y ago

niuzeta 13y ago

seconded. I wouldn't even have to quote Machiavelli to say that it's important to show your future contractors(or your peers) what you are capable of, to force them to think twice before arranging anything with you. Will it reduce the number of incoming contractors? Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? Very likely.

mindcrime 13y ago
Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? I doubt it. They're just as likely to be selecting for future contractors who are overly confident / cocky by nature, and/or ones who don't understand how to estimate software projects, and who don't have a good feel/understanding for the risks involved.
darkarmani 13y ago
> Will it reduce the number of incoming contractors? Probably. Will the contractors who'll still chime in be more likely reliable, after considering what they're agreeing with? Very likely. Wouldn't it more likely select contractors that have good liability shields and get to charge a premium for working for an asshole company because there are less people willing to do the work? This is how patent trolls are set up with no assets to lose.

r00fus 13y ago

No the applicant pool will be more bullish. In many cases that might mean weaker (i.e., unable to estimate work effort properly).

comrade_ogilvy 13y ago

They may be stronger, or maybe not. They certainly will learn to inflate the price to include lawyers fees. Are you hiring a contractor to get work done? Or are you allowing the head of your legal department to pad his resume, while your department is paying for many in house lawyer hours plus (via the contract) many out of house lawyer hours?