Warning: Football analogy
I went to a presentation given by Graham Spittle today, and he used the analogy that watching salesmen was a lot like watching five-year-olds playing football – they all run to where the action currently is, instead of staying where they might be needed very shortly. I like this analogy, and was thinking how it applied to software development teams. You could say that the developers are the strikers, and the testers are the defenders. Most of the time, it might be useful for everyone to stick to their positions, and not just run where the ball is. Sometimes, however, you need everybody in the same half, because a.) you really need a goal; or b.) you really need to stop one. It’s all one team though, and its a given that you also need midfielders who do a bit of both things.
Other sporting analogies will be welcomed. Hit the comments (out of the park; for six; etc.)