We consider the roles of algorithm and human and their
inter-relationships. As a vehicle for some of our ideas we
describe an empirical investigation of software professionals
using analogy-based tools and unaided search in order
to solve various prediction problems. We conclude that
there exist a class of software engineering problems which
might be characterised as high value and low frequency
where the human-algorithm interaction must be considered
carefully if they are to be successfully deployed in industry
