03.02.10
Confusion + Computers = Chaos
[Cartoon]
Often complex problems are froth with misunderstanding and confusion. It is about this time that someone will say, “Let’s automate the process. What we need is a new system.” The next thing that occurs is the whole problem is turned over to the IT staff to develop solutions.
In this scenario there is a problem that must be solved. There is a hole in the dam and the leak needs to be plugged. Why the hole came about is set aside for a later discussion. All that is needed now is to stop the bleeding.
The IT commandos arrive on the scene and do an immediate analysis. They realize that it would be beneficial to look further into the root-cause of the problem, but the immediate nature of the problem requires quick action. Out comes the duct tape to apply corrective measures. Their quick action saves the day. Following this success, the IT staff proposes an analysis to better understand why the problem occurred. This request is moved to the backburner so more important issues can be addressed.
Then another problem becomes critical and the commandos are called in again. The IT staff is suspicious that this problem may be caused by the same underlying problem as the previous, but the approach is “fix first and analyze later”. Following this event even more problems arise and the IT staff successfully applies duct tape to avert disaster.
This scenario may repeat itself many times over several years. Then some major event occurs that is more than a mere leak in the dam. Due to competition or new regulations, an overhaul of the entire automated environment appears imminent. Finally, a root-cause analysis is done and a new direction becomes clear.
Unfortunately, the cost of migrating towards the new direction will be much higher than expected. All the duct tape applied over the years has gummed up the system’s environment so badly it is difficult to understand. Change will be risky due to this lack of understanding. Mitigating this risk will be costly.
NOW is always the best time to deal with confusion. Proper analysis may result in an automated solution, but it may not. By facing the confusion now, we will reduce costs. We can automate only that which should be automated. We can avoid the application of duct tape solutions that drive the cost of future changes upward.
[Please comment and share your experience.]
Closing the Business / IT gap.
[Cartoon]
Often complex problems are froth with misunderstanding and confusion. It is about this time that someone will say, “Let’s automate the process. What we need is a new system.” The next thing that occurs is the whole problem is turned over to the IT staff to develop solutions.
In this scenario there is a problem that must be solved. There is a hole in the dam and the leak needs to be plugged. Why the hole came about is set aside for a later discussion. All that is needed now is to stop the bleeding.
The IT commandos arrive on the scene and do an immediate analysis. They realize that it would be beneficial to look further into the root-cause of the problem, but the immediate nature of the problem requires quick action. Out comes the duct tape to apply corrective measures. Their quick action saves the day. Following this success, the IT staff proposes an analysis to better understand why the problem occurred. This request is moved to the backburner so more important issues can be addressed.
Then another problem becomes critical and the commandos are called in again. The IT staff is suspicious that this problem may be caused by the same underlying problem as the previous, but the approach is “fix first and analyze later”. Following this event even more problems arise and the IT staff successfully applies duct tape to avert disaster.
This scenario may repeat itself many times over several years. Then some major event occurs that is more than a mere leak in the dam. Due to competition or new regulations, an overhaul of the entire automated environment appears imminent. Finally, a root-cause analysis is done and a new direction becomes clear.
Unfortunately, the cost of migrating towards the new direction will be much higher than expected. All the duct tape applied over the years has gummed up the system’s environment so badly it is difficult to understand. Change will be risky due to this lack of understanding. Mitigating this risk will be costly.
NOW is always the best time to deal with confusion. Proper analysis may result in an automated solution, but it may not. By facing the confusion now, we will reduce costs. We can automate only that which should be automated. We can avoid the application of duct tape solutions that drive the cost of future changes upward.
[Please comment and share your experience.]
