Level 4

Continued from Level 3.

Ah Level 4, how I miss thee. I probably spent more time at Level 4 than at any other level. Mostly that was due to my intense stubbornness and my [old] type A personality (for the record I think I now have a type A-). Nothing says frustration better than feeling like one of your four pending aneurysms is about to burst.

Level 4 is the only level that has a name; it's the WTF level. The difference between Level 3 and Level 4 seems very minor on the surface, but trust me Level 3 is going to seem like a beach vacation compared to Level 4. It's like the difference between being a baseball fan and a Cubs fans. Let's take a classic example of a "problem" and see the reaction of a person at level 3 and then the reaction to the same situation at level 4.

Some time in the distance past Uncle Jimbo was the lead developer on a software product....

Management: "We need the new version of the software by the trade show."
Uncle Jimbo: "What trade show?....What new version?"
M: "The new version we need by the trade show."
UJ: "Rrrright......what are the requirements for the new version?"
M: "Requirements? Only one. We need a new version by the trade show."
UJ: "So you don't care what the new features are as long as it has a new version number?"
M: "Yep."
UJ: "I'll see what I can do to collect client feedback and figure out what new features would add value for the customer."
M: "Great....but it'll be done by the trade show right?"
UJ: "Yeah, we'll have to work some weekends, maybe put in a couple of 80 hour weeks, but we'll have something."
M: "Weekends huh...that would be great."

Notice the classic level 3 desire to fix the problem. Notice the sarcasm in my responses. Classic level 3 passive-aggressive responses to management-babble. Now let's look at the same "problem" had I been at Level 4.

Management: "We need the new version of the software by the trade show."
Uncle Jimbo: "We don't have a new version in development."
M: "Well we need one."
UJ: "Sure, I'll get right on that. What would you like it to do."
M: "I'd like it to be ready by the trade show."
UJ: "So you don't care what it does?"
M: "Nope."
UJ: "Okay."
UJ (thought bubble): "WTF!"

Notice the quick clarification of the asinine. No long protracted debates about the perceived value of the project or the potential issues that could arise. Notice the defeated "Okay" response.
The real story actually turned out pretty well. The development team got together and decided that we would do all the features we always wanted to do. Many were in direct support of client feedback. After three of us spent several weeks of massive overtime we took a Beta of version 3.0 to the trade show and it was the most wildly successful version of in the history of the product. Sometimes a blind squirrel (management) can find a nut. Especially when you're an expert tea-cupper.

Had I been at Level 4 the situation probably would have gone like this....

I walked away from the management meeting and made a quick call to our graphic designer. "Give me a flashy new startup graphic and a new silk-screen for the CD." We took those, moved around and renamed some of the menu choices and called it Killer Software App 95. We played Quake while on overtime, delivered the new version at the trade show to a lack luster response and laughed at customers who ask, "WTF, where are the new features"? WTF indeed.

Level 4: WTF summarizes the general feeling of incredulousness felt when things around you start moving towards chaos. Gone is the desire to fix things, replaced with a desire to do as little as possible for fear of adding to the confusion. "I put in my 40 hours" is the mantra you quote when asked how your job is going. Dilbert is your Avatar. Shoulder shrugs and "Okay" are your standard reaction to action items from your manager. You do not desire recognition or reward for a job well done, but you still try to do your job well (for no other reason than to sleep at night). Shit is broken and you know, deep in your soul, there isn't a thing you can do to fix them and it pisses you off.

WTF am I doing here. WTF indeed.

On to Level 5