> In software world, you can also satisfy 99.9% of cases with existing approaches. You mostly don't need great engineers for that.
Unlike other engineering disciplines, software has a constant pressure for pseudo novelty and fad adoption. One dimension of "greatness" is resistance to those temptations and pragmatism in the face of constant change. In that regard, lower quality engineering talent often correlates with increased tech churn and defects, even given a simple business domain.
Tl;Dr engineering excellence doesn't only imply innovativeness, it also implies discipline.
Unlike other engineering disciplines, software has a constant pressure for pseudo novelty and fad adoption. One dimension of "greatness" is resistance to those temptations and pragmatism in the face of constant change. In that regard, lower quality engineering talent often correlates with increased tech churn and defects, even given a simple business domain.
Tl;Dr engineering excellence doesn't only imply innovativeness, it also implies discipline.