What are the common causes in software horror stories?

Poor communication is a common cause. When team members don't communicate effectively, misunderstandings happen. For example, developers might misinterpret the requirements from the clients or other team members.

One common cause is lack of proper testing. If you don't test all aspects like functionality, compatibility etc., it can lead to disasters during deployment.

One common cause is human error, like an accidental deletion or incorrect data entry. For example, an employee might accidentally drop a crucial table in the database.

One common cause is physical exertion without enough water intake, like in sports or long hikes.

Poor maintenance is a common cause. For example, not cleaning out grease traps regularly. If you don't do this, they will overflow with grease.

One of the common causes is lack of proper maintenance. Servers need regular updates, both in terms of software and hardware. If they don't get that, they can become vulnerable. Also, overloading the server with too much traffic or too many tasks at once can lead to crashes. It's like asking a person to do ten things at the same time - something is bound to go wrong.

Poorly written SQL queries can also lead to horror stories. For example, queries with incorrect joins can result in wrong data being retrieved or updated. If a developer doesn't fully understand how to use JOINs correctly, it can mess up the whole data integrity.

I think human error is a big part of it. Workers might accidentally drop packages or load them onto the wrong trucks. Inadequate quality control in the shipping process is another cause. There should be checks to make sure packages are in good condition before they are sent out. But often, this doesn't happen. Also, theft during shipping, although not very common, can be a cause of horror stories when valuable items disappear.

Well, supplier failure is a big one. This could be due to financial problems at the supplier's end, like bankruptcy. Also, quality control issues are common. If a supplier can't maintain the required quality standards, it can cause a lot of trouble in the supply chain. And political instability in a region can also disrupt supply chains, for example, through new trade regulations or tariffs.

Poor planning is a major cause. Not having a backup plan for things like bad weather if it's an outdoor event. Also, unreliable vendors can lead to horror stories. Say, a DJ who doesn't show up or a decorator who does a shoddy job. And sometimes, over - booking of venues can also create a mess as in my previous story where the venue was double - booked.