The Sunk Cost Fallacy: The Organizational Pitfall We All Need to Overcome

We all make bad decisions from time to time. But sometimes, we stick with these bad decisions for far too long, pouring more time, money, and effort into them, even when it’s clear they’re not working out. This tendency is called the sunk cost fallacy, and it’s a common problem that plagues many organizations. What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy? The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias that leads us to make decisions based on past investments rather than present or future costs and benefits....

June 14, 2024

Why Forced Adoption of Platforms Is a Losing Strategy

The allure of a unified platform - a single, integrated solution promising to streamline operations and boost efficiency - can be tempting. However, the notion that mandating the use of such a platform, especially when it fails to address the specific needs of its users, as a strategy is fundamentally flawed. Such an approach often leads to a waste of valuable resources and can even hinder innovation. Understanding the Pitfalls of Forced Adoption Mandating the use of a platform that doesn’t resonate with its intended users sets the stage for a cascade of negative consequences:...

June 13, 2024

The Unfulfilled Promise: The Silent Killer of Credibility

As an engineer, your reputation is built on trust, competence, and reliability. It’s a currency that can be easily spent but hard to earn back once lost. And one of the fastest ways to deplete this valuable currency is by making promises you can’t keep. This principle extends beyond engineering, permeating every aspect of life. Whether you’re a parent assuring your child of a trip to the park, a friend committing to help with a move, or a professional vowing to meet a deadline, the weight of an unfulfilled promise can be devastating....

June 12, 2024

Building Internal Platforms Without Metrics

Organizations are increasingly investing in internal platforms to streamline development, enhance system resilience, and bolster security. These platforms are often touted as the solution to various operational challenges, promising to accelerate innovation, reduce downtime, and protect valuable assets. However, a critical question lingers: how can organizations determine if their internal platform investments are truly successful if they don’t measure the outcomes? The Rise of Internal Platforms Internal platforms, also known as developer platforms or platform engineering, have gained immense popularity in recent years....

June 11, 2024

The Untapped Potential Within

Have you ever surprised yourself by accomplishing something you didn’t think you could do? It may be running a marathon, learning a new language, or mastering a complex skill. For many of us, the journey of training and self-improvement has revealed that we are capable of far more than we initially believed. This phenomenon isn’t unique to a select few; it’s a testament to the untapped potential within each of us....

June 10, 2024