[thechat] $20M Problems?

[Judah McAuley]

How about you identify a $50,000 problem, I'll write up an explanation
of why it will take me $20 million to fix it, we outsource it for $10
million, split the remainder and you get to be the guy that solved a
$20 million dollar problem?

Judah

On Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 1:03 PM, Luther, Ron <Ron.Luther at hp.com> wrote:
> Hi Gang,
>
> Depressed guy here again.  Once upon a time I worked for an outfit that claimed they wanted to be "a 6 Sigma company".  Times change.  Nowadays its "Don't even come over here with that project unless it addresses at least a $20M problem!"
>
> <sigh />  I've not yet enjoyed great success explaining why this is a bad idea.
>
> I've tried the zen koan approach:  "If all you will work on are $20M problems all you are doing is training the business to create more $20M problems."
>
> I've tried the Larry Wall approach: "In a decent process the little $50,000 problems are simple, quick, and easy to solve and the big $20M problems are able to be solved."
>
> People nod politely ... and then send me back to the Accountants.
>
> Anybody have any 'easy reader' links that might help me get this point across?
>
> Thanks!
> RonL.
>
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