Antipatterns - About
We have identified a number of environmental antipatterns, and we keep adding to this list. Traditionally, a pattern is described by its name, a description, the solution or refactoring to the problem and the possible consequences of the solution.
Our antipatterns have an informal structure that concentrates on identification of the dysfunctional situation, and remedies for all those involved. Our antipatterns take the following form:
Name
A Name that conveys the antipattern's meaning.
Central Concept
A short synopsis of the antipattern. Enough to make the antipattern identifiable.
Dysfunction
In general terms, the problems with the current practice, possibly with a list of symptoms.
Vignette
The antipattern in a real or prototypical situation. This section provides context and richness to the antipattern.
Explanation
Expanded explanation of the antipattern including its causes, consequences and historical or cultural analogies.
Band Aid
A short-term fix or coping strategy for those in the midst of the antipattern who have neither the time or influence to refactor it properly.
Self-Repair
The first step for someone perpetuating the antipattern. How you can help yourself improve.
Refactoring
Description of the changes that should be made to remedy the situation and their rationale. Sometimes these are under the control of an individual, but often they involve cultural or institutional changes.
Observations
Optional section for additional comments or items of note.
Indentification
An assessment instrument consisting of a list of questions for diagnosis of the antipattern. It must be stressed that this instrument is for informal evaluation – no validity or reliability testing has been performed. Hopefully they will resonate with those suffering from the antipattern, and possibly provide humor!
Here is a list of our Antipatterns organized into two groups: management and environmental. To learn more about these antipatterns, please take the Antipatterns test (and read our book).
Management Antipatterns
- Absentee Manager
- All You Have Is A Hammer
- Cage Match Negotiator
- Doppelganger
- Fruitless Hoops
- Golden Child
- Headless Chicken
- Leader Not Manager
- Managerial Cloning
- Manager Not Leader
- Metric Abuse
- Mr. Nice Guy
- Mushroom Management
- Plate Spinning
- Proletariat Hero
- Rising Upstart
- Road To Nowhere
- Spineless Executive
- Three Headed Knight
- Ultimate Weapon
- Warm Bodies
Environmental Antipatterns
- Ant Colony
- Atlas Shrug
- Autonomous Collective
- Boiling Frog Syndrome
- Burning Bag Of Dung
- Buzzword Mania
- Deflated Balloon
- Divergent Goals
- Dogmatic About Dysfunction
- Dunkirk Spirit
- Emperors New Clothes
- Fairness Doctrine
- Fools Rush In
- Founderitis
- French Waiter Syndrome
- Geek Hazing
- Institutional Mistrust
- Kiosk City
- Atlas Shrug
- Mediocracy
- One Eyed King
- Orange Stand Economics
- Pitcairn Island
- Potemkin Village
- Process Clash
- Rubik’s Cube
- Shoeless Children
- Worshiping The Golden Calf