‘Technical debt’ is a brilliantly concise metaphor coined by Ward Cunningham back in the 1990’s that cannily describes the behaviour of software and surrounding processes implemented in the real world of limited costs and time. The debt refers to work undone, which either must eventually be undertaken by subsequent projects or managed through ever more […]
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The Unbearable Madness of Being: A Conclusion
I started this series as an exploration into why so many of us—theoretically well intentioned and intelligent professionals that we are—seem to manage to maintain a state of being overwhelmed most of the time. As I close out, the inescapable conclusion is the one I suggested at the outset: that, for the most part, this […]
The Unbearable Madness Of Being: Our Risk Obsession
Look out! Be careful! That’s dangerous! Should you really be doing that?! Risk has become quite the four-letter-word. It is, in certain circles, the new fetish to obsess about. In corporate corridors, over boardroom tables and in workshops and meetings (especially in workshops and meetings) risk management is a topic of seemingly endless discussion.
The Unbearable Madness Of Being: Our Quantified Selves
There is a lot of pressure to perform already. So why do we add to it? Without question, there are cultural influences behind the unrelenting and increasing pressure to achieve. The two aspects that I have explores so far—technology transformation and the improvement imperative reflect our response to societal changes. Certainly you can argue that […]
Webinar – Taking a Read on 2013
Last year’s last webinar was a huge success, so we are reviving the format once again as we close out the year. In December’s webinar, Peter and Mark are both presenting. They will taking a read on the year that has passed, discussing the best business books they have read this year. These may build […]
The Unbearable Madness of Being: Improvement Imperative
Why do we obsess about—and in fact embrace—notions of eternal busy-ness? That was the question that was raised in the first article in this series. One aspect that I outlined was the role that technology has played in providing constant access to near-ubiquitous information. This article continues those themes, exploring our eternal obsession with improvement.