The “Magic Just”

I’ve invoked the “Magic Just” term here many times over the years, but I haven’t ever directly addressed what it is. It’s a concept I learned from a friend and former colleague. She had a rule that she would never accept a work ticket or review request that included the word “just”, nor would she assign it to others. This is how it would go down: Manager: Well, just add it as a new feature then. Colleague: Pardon? Manager: Can you add this new feature? Colleague: We can. She said the “just” was “magic” because it minimises any complex problem into something simple, irrespective of intention. Asking without the “magic just” reframes the question without trivialising the time, effort, or money involved. Management, who regularly don’t understand the technical complexities of the systems their staff build and operate, are especially prone to implementing the “Magic Just”. “Just” capture this new data. “Just” build a new feature. “Just” comply with this new requirement. How hard can it…