Everybody Likes Nice Things Most people can agree on a set of values and final results that they consider good and desirable. In case of software engineering terms like ‘consistent design’, ‘maintainable code’ or ‘testable components’ are fairly common and accepted as important goals. Only engineers out of their mind would argue for ‘inconsistent design’ or ‘unmaintainable code’. However, the world is full of IT departments that pump out Big Ball of Mud systems like if they hit an oil well.