How far can a methodology go?

Via Joel, Katie Lucas on methodologies :

And at the core of RUP is a small area where you have to use OO design talents.... if you don't have them, it's like having a methodology for running the 100m.

'Step 1: write about running really fast. Step 2: Go and draw a plan of the racetrack. Step 3: go and buy really tight lycra shorts. Step 4: run really, really, really fast. Step 5: cross line first'

I was never able to say this better.

Some people keep dreaming that methodologies or other tools are going to be able to replace talent. That is not going to happen in the near future. Tools and methodologies CAN assist talent but CAN NOT replace it. If you believe otherwise, you might be on track to waste your money instead of investing it.

[Programming]