In "The Soul of a New Machine," Tracy Kidder explores the challenges that talented engineers face when it comes to balancing their pursuit of perfection with practical decision-making. Many skilled engineers find it difficult to recognize when to cease their relentless quest for flawlessness, which can hinder productivity and project completion.

This struggle highlights a common issue in engineering and creative fields, where the desire to achieve the ideal can lead to prolonged development times and inefficiencies. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of knowing when to prioritize progress over perfection in order to meet goals and deliver results.