A script for illustrating feedback loops completed given various conditions for a post on https://justin.searls.co

feedback_loops.rb

WORKDAY_HOURS = 8

LOOP_SPEED = 15
INCORRECT_EVERY = 25
LOW_FIDELITY_EVERY = 10

INCORRECT_LOOP_PENALTY = 3
LOW_FIDELITY_TIME_PENALTY = 2

time_remaining = WORKDAY_HOURS * 60 * 60
loops_attempted = 0
good_loops = 0
bad_loops = 0
bad_loop_penalty_remaining = 0

while time_remaining > 0
  loops_attempted += 1
  time_remaining -= LOOP_SPEED

  if loops_attempted % INCORRECT_EVERY == 0
    bad_loop_penalty_remaining += 1 + INCORRECT_LOOP_PENALTY
  end

  if loops_attempted % LOW_FIDELITY_EVERY == 0
    time_remaining -= LOW_FIDELITY_TIME_PENALTY * 60
  end

  if bad_loop_penalty_remaining > 0
    bad_loops += 1
    bad_loop_penalty_remaining -= 1
  else
    good_loops += 1
  end
end

puts <<~MSG.gsub(/\s+/, " ")
  Programmer completes one feedback loop with their computer every
  #{LOOP_SPEED} seconds. 1 in #{INCORRECT_EVERY} of their commands ask the
  wrong question and result in the next #{INCORRECT_LOOP_PENALTY} questions
  also being wrong. 1 in #{LOW_FIDELITY_EVERY} of their commands produce
  low-fidelity results that cost them #{LOW_FIDELITY_TIME_PENALTY} minutes to
  interpret the answer. **The programmer is able to complete #{good_loops}
  productive feedback loops per day.**
MSG