A Straightforward Approach – Not a Simple one

What we do is complicated. Not because of the multiple layers of technology, but because of the multiple dimensions involved in what we do including people, organization, processes, culture, power structure, etc. There is no simple way to put together a good information system that will visibly contribute to business value. But there are some straightforward things we should do – in collaboration with the business – to improve our success rate.

Two Approaches

Why do we Write Things Down?

Dave Couture has given an excellent analysis of the principle of Viewpoints (Owner, User, Developer), and why viewpoints are useful.

Single vs. Multiple Documents

One of our challenges revolves around a concern for a “single document”. Even in this day of knowledge bases, hyper-links, search engines etc., we see a deep-seated preoccupation – a desire to put everything into a single file. Just yesterday, I heard somebody at a very large client tell me about the huge burden they have with each individual document going through their approval process. They tell me that if they have 30 pages of information to be approved, it makes a big difference whether that is in three documents or one.

Back Story

I was recently teaching a Macroscope Foundation course, and sharing my zeal with the principle that the business participants should take a driving role on many aspects, when one person finally spoke up with, “I have never, ever seen it work that way.” In his experience, it had always been IT (and IT consultants) pushing everything.

I gave two quick answers: