I find that a lot of what I do is design and program. I then let some one else run the board for shows, as I am working on my next shows or on another job. I don't do much focus work and/or hanging anymore. I just hand over the plot or tell people where things need to go.
Ultimately, I have found that trying to translate design into programing doesn't work real well with two separate people for both jobs. Stuff gets lost in the translation and people then get frustrated. It either takes to long to translate, or the translation isn't understood.
Master Electrician work, I pass off to others. I have people that I trust and know well get the job done. So I just hang out on stage, tell focus cuts, and move to the next light. Works very fast and efficient, even better if I have an RFU.
I guess it comes down to if you have a designer/programmer/board op/master electrician who work together well and often, its a very effective method of doing things. If that is not the case, like union crews, it takes a long, sometimes very long, time.
I was in I.A.T.S.E. for a period of time. Was not impressed, very inefficient. Some people want to work, some want to do nothing, some just up and disappear. That is a reason why in this area at least, people avoid the local like the plague. I have talk with clients on the phone asking me if we can work certain rooms, and my response is no because its a union
house. They then reply to me, how about this across the street. 'That building is fine sir, not a union house.' The next response is that the show will be moved there.