Brent Worked Quote by Gene Kim
““They’d be responsible for documenting what they learned, and Brent would never be allowed to work on the same problem twice. I’d review each of the issues weekly, and if I find out that Brent worked a problem twice, there will be hell to pay. For both the level 3s and Brent.” I add, “Based on Wes’ story, we shouldn’t even let Brent touch the keyboard. He’s allowed to tell people what to type and shoulder-surf, but under no condition will we allow him to do something that we can’t document afterward. Is that clear?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: DevOps Handbook discussion, 2018
Documenting work and preventing repeat effort ensures accountability and efficiency, especially for high‑risk individuals.
In simple terms: Document work to avoid duplication and maintain control.
Key Takeaway
Implement strict documentation and review.
Themes
process control
accountability
risk management
Mood
concerned
analytical
pragmatic
Type
managerial
operational
When to use this quote
- software development
- security audits
- project management
- team onboarding
Key Concepts
documentation
repeatability
team dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards balance control and innovation?
- How can you trust without excessive monitoring?
A Different Perspective
Strict controls may stifle creativity or trust.
![“Bill Baker, a distinguished engineer at Microsoft, quipped that we used to treat servers like pets: “You name them and when they get sick, you nurse them back to health. [Now] servers are [treated] like cattle. You number them and when they get sick, you shoot them.” quote by Gene Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e7b/gene-kim-2268_health_bill-baker-a-distinguished-engineer-at-m_187582.jpg)
