Nothing wrong with making it up as you go, and I didn't mean to sound like I was knocking it, if I did. Sometimes everyone fumbles around trying to find solutions that work...it's a totally valid way to approach some problems.
Sometimes it's a hybrid of knowing what you are doing but not knowing the implementation specifics. You know you need to connect high-level pieces A, B, and C with specific constraints, but it won't be until you get into the low-level implementation that you'll know if it is indeed possible. I think that's an example of both having a vision and also improvising as you go.
I am concerned about how to effectively communicate visions to people, because it gets everyone rowing in the same direction. If nobody thinks that you have a vision, when you do, there is no reason they should choose your direction vs just do their own thing.
Ok this is helpful. If people are doing their own thing and not following the established, agreed on (or even dictated) way or vision, then you need to figure out why if you are the lead.
Maybe it is communication related. Does everyone know that this is the way they should do something? But they still don't? Have you created docs and edicts around these areas? Have you been assertive in code reviews? Have you been proactive and requested design sessions before a lot of work was done?
Has a decision been formally communicated? I see this step not happening enough, people are hesitant to be authoritative after a discussion on architectural concerns. If you are the lead, that needs to happen.
Most of the time it's simply a case of them not knowing how to do it. People are afraid to show their lack of skill and knowledge and ask for help. They get deadline pressure and deliver their default way.
Have you provided a feature or cut through the system that shows this vision for people to follow? Maybe example code, resources on the web that go very deep into the ideas and tactics? Have you paired with them to help them get started or get over obstacles. Perhaps pair your most senior person with juniors for a while to get them on the same page and capable with this vision.
Using a phrase like "fumbles around" still sounds like you're placing it on a lower rung, whereas I would say that basically everything I've ever done has been an iterative, collaborative process, including in situations where I'm highly confident of both the problem domain and technology choices. There are always going to be new discoveries made during implementation, and you can't have a written-in-stone design doc that prevents anyone on the team suggesting a refinement.
For myself as an opinionated person in a devops role, the vision that I try to communicate to my colleagues is mostly broad principles like configuration as code, helping people help themselves, consolidation of systems, and then some more pointed specifics like don't touch prod, don't make changes without a consensus, start by understanding why it's the way it is before changing it, etc.
>I am concerned about how to effectively communicate visions to people, because it gets everyone rowing in the same direction. If nobody thinks that you have a vision, when you do, there is no reason they should choose your direction vs just do their own thing.
I used to have visions. Now I have collaborative design discussions driven by some starting designs. I found that if people don't contribute to the overall design then they have little impetus to actually understand it. This tends to lead to a better design and a more engaged team so a win on all counts.
Sometimes it's a hybrid of knowing what you are doing but not knowing the implementation specifics. You know you need to connect high-level pieces A, B, and C with specific constraints, but it won't be until you get into the low-level implementation that you'll know if it is indeed possible. I think that's an example of both having a vision and also improvising as you go.
I am concerned about how to effectively communicate visions to people, because it gets everyone rowing in the same direction. If nobody thinks that you have a vision, when you do, there is no reason they should choose your direction vs just do their own thing.