- AuctionEdge operates in the Independent Auto Auction space (think used car auctions). They truly have embraced their industry. So much so, that they treat software like a used car lot would treat a car; the goal is to turn the car over for profit as quick as possible, rinse, and repeat.
- There is not enough experience creating high quality software products outside of this industry (much of the experience is from building products for the industry, which suffer from the same issues I've encountered while working here. Just one big ol` pile of mud.). As a software company, they value industry experience above all, and where much of the management problems can be derived from. (this industry is fast and loose, so is the software lifecycle).
- They don't understand Agile, Software Development, or Project Management. They've taken all lessons learned from the past 40 years of Software Development and thrown it out the window. In my future interviews, AuctionEdge will be my example of how not to build software.
- YAGNI, KISS, DRY do not apply here.
- I was told that my "standards are too high" in my review. I have never, ever, been told to lower the bar in my career; well now I have.
- Anyone up the org chart is able to commit to the repository. This has contributed to multiple implementations of a single feature in the same repository. Quickly on its way to becoming a Ball of Mud.
- They don't know their data or customers as well as they think. This has contributed to not being able to get concrete specifications or requirements for most features. In fact, we would build anything, just so it could in the demo in order to get feedback.