Every so often we developers are asked to build a flying car. Our users obviously need one to avoid traffic and get to meetings on time. So we set down the path to meet those needs.

The trouble is most of us have no idea how to build a flying car. Even so, this is the project so we better get started! Our first release of the flying car will be small, and carried around on a string. We show good progress to our user's needs and gain approval from our superiors. We will simply remove the string in a later release.

Hopefully most of us will recognize a Flying Car Project and take time to understand and address the users’ goals rather than sprinting toward a brick wall. The Flying Car is a means, not an end in itself -- and there are other, executable means to the desired end.

Of course, there will always be someone eager to go build that flying car. If that happens, try to steer them in the right direction. If all else fails, just don’t be standing underneath it when they cut the string.