IT Philosophy 102
As the use of information technology systems grow in the corporate world, nonprofit world and in government agencies there are many things we must consider such as the inherent problem of the ability of the programmers to predict the needs of the system in the future.
If linear decision-making is used in the programming of the software of information technology systems then they can certainly do the job that they are requested, but if they are improperly programmed it is the same as garbage in, garbage out.
Luckily most computer programmers especially in the information technology field are amongst the most intelligent humans. However, they are being contracted by businesses and government agencies, which are run by people who may not have a proper understanding and may not be able to understand that what they are building is a double edge to sword.
For instance if not enough features are put into the IT system, then it cannot do its job properly. If too many features are put into the system, then the system will cost too much to implement and therefore it makes sense not to implement the system at all and rather wait for the next generation of technologies to come about and simply bite the bullet by increasing the human labor, which normally would do the jobs during the interim.
IT systems are a balance and the ultimate compromise. In theory you should spend as much as you need to do the job right and have the most features possible, so that you do not need to spend extra dollars for patchwork and patchware each and every year.
Unfortunately, therefore the system is never running perfect, as it is continual work in progress, like imperfect humans. Meanwhile, in the future new systems will be developed and be available with all the features, as turn-key and can be bought over the counter for a fraction of the cost already spent. Perhaps you will consider this IT philosophy in 2006.
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