Zwartjes, Gertjan2009-02-262009-02-262008-06-282009-02-26Zwartjes, G 2008, 'A means to an end - getting the job done', in Colloquium and Festschrift at the occasion of the 60th birthday of Derrick Kourie (Computer Science), Windy Brow, South Afica, 28 June 2008. [http://www.cs.up.ac.za/cs/sgruner/Festschrift/]http://hdl.handle.net/2263/9049The Post-Proceedings of this Festschrift will be formally published in The South African Computer Journal number 41.Failing software projects have plagued software development ever since its existence. Numerous different treatments for this plague have been introduced, where the latest trend is product centred and focuses on customer satisfaction. Whereas none of the methods, tools and techniques are a Silver Bullet, many are important aids to a successful software project. However, there is an important pitfall concerning all software engineering tools, methods and techniques: when a means is promoted to become an end. To prevent this from happening common sense and alertness are the key.enGertjan ZwartjesSoftware projectsSoftware engineeringComputer programmingComputer software -- DevelopmentArticle