Best Practices | Paul M. Jones

Best practices evolve. Even though they change, they tend to change in the direction of “better”, not “worse”.

The novice thinks he is an individual.

The novice says: “Best practices are always changing; why bother adhering to something that I know will change? I am free to do what I feel like without referring to best practices.”

This is not freedom; it is license.

The master realizes he stands at the end of a long trail of experience and knowledge from others, that surpasses his own personal experience and knowledge.

The master says: “This is my current understanding; these are my expected circumstances; these are the known best practices; these are their tradeoffs. I will choose the best practice I can for the tradeoffs I am willing to endure.”

This is not slavery; it is clear thinking.