Obie Fernandez, who gave a really insightful presentation recently at acts_as_conference, has commented on the news that SAP is being sued for $100m for lying about their product as they attempted to sell a massive software system to Waste Management. Having worked in IT for a decade, and having read every bit of published material I could get my hands on for a good decade before that, I must admit this is not in the least bit surprising. I've seen first-hand how working with large companies, that follow the waterfall development method, turns into lies upon lies upon lies, very often leaving the client shafted. A recent experience saw the software developer write the specifications for the client, with the agreement stating that they only had to work to specifications, and it wasn't until a new staff member was brought on was this loophole realized. It is for this reason that I've followed the agile development methodology (and more recently scrum and getting real) that involves the client at all stages, rather than just at the beginning, and has proven to be a great success.