The One True Law of Software Engineering

Software engineering has a bewildering number of laws, ranging from genuine insight and hard-won wisdom to amusing folklore with memorable names. In this light-hearted (and hopefully amusing) talk, I'll explore a selection of the best-known laws, what they can teach us, and how much evidence there really is behind them. Along the way I'll reveal my favourite of them all — the law that's actually a law — and how it offers a compelling explanation for many of software engineering's other famous laws and enduring best practices. Think Brooks's Law legalized trainers in the workplace? Still trying to work out who this guy Conway is who your lead keeps blaming for everything? Come along and find out.