Mission Creep

23/09/10 20:53 Filed in: Work
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I had an interesting reminder today of how sometimes technical folks run off with a project without first clearly understanding what the project is for. We get so wrapped up in the cool new goodies that the project suffers from “Mission Creep”.

There is a real temptation to try all of the latest technical goodies without consideration to the:

  • Cost of maintaining the new technology.
  • Complexity of keeping the technology managed.
  • Security issues it creates.
  • Actual user benefit.

Without consideration for the mission the project is in jeopardy.

Before starting ANY project make sure there is a clear mission statement, that users are on board and management is behind it! Let the need drive the technology and not the other way around.

Not to be a stick in the mud. Technology is cool, but it needs to be useful, especially in a tight economy. Everything needs to be cost justified with real numbers showing a real return on investment. Oh yes, be sure to include the Human Factor!