Why are projects so late? Joel Spolsky writes:

A huge number of technology projects go wrong. This is news to no one. Whether you run a software company with a number of ongoing development efforts or you have a nontech company that hires consultants here and there to provide systems integration, chances are you've bumped up against this problem. Delays, blown budgets, and outright failures are so common in the software world, in fact, that it's hardly newsworthy when a project is years late and millions over budget.

It seems to me that too many managers think of programming as factory work while Joel obviously sees it as art. And I agree with Joel. Whether you're writing code or a blog or a book, you need a creative environment. And working 80 hours a week doesn't help. Trying writing when you're not inspired--and then try it when you're tired too.

Nothing seems hard to those who don't have to do it.