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" "As computer hardware capacity increases, the software is bloated." "- Bryce's Law

INTRODUCTION

Ever wonder why our computers typically no longer than three years? Many say it is because of rapid technological progress. Maybe. But I tend to believe it is a little more than just that fact "" Parkinson's Law. "For those of you who have forgotten," "Parkinson's Law" was written by C. Northcote Parkinson, British historian noted, and author. His original book, "" Parkinson's Law: The Pursuit of Progress, "" was launched in 1958 and was a top-management book for the sale of a number of years (it is still sold today). The book was based on his experiences with the British Civil Service. Among his most important observation was that "work expands so that the time available for its completion. "" Basically, he suggests that people in work to streamline their employment. Consequently, managers and bureaucracies create unnecessary work their existence to justify, not because it is really necessary.

By the way, CEOs understand Parkinson's Law, as the driving force behind the flattening of the companies in the 1990s, such as General Electric under Jack Welch's reign.

In the application of information technology

Whereas Parkinson's was first and foremost with the people, his law also applies to machines, especially computers, for example, Parkinson's Law can be computing in relation to the "data expands to the available space for storage. "" Years ago I had a Compaq Presario computer with 50 MB of disk space, which I considered essential at the time. I never dreamed I would be able to select the hard disk. But of course, I did (as well as other PC's I have over the years). My current PC has a disk with a capacity of 224gb, and even though I have a long way from filling it inevitably I know I will be for two reasons: I now feel more comfortable with downloading large multimedia files (MP3, AVI, WMV, etc. .), PDF files, database files, and other major file formats, and, secondly, because the developers of sloppy programming.

Back when memory and disk space were at a premium, there was great concern about the efficient use of computer resources. Program code was written and was very close to the file size. For example, establishing a simple file index has been carefully examined. But as the capacity of computer and hardware prices fell, developers were less interested in efficient programming. To illustrate, not too long ago, packaged software installation programs have been on 3.5 "floppies. Today, it is not uncommon for several CD's to the same products. This means that the computer hardware to increase capacity, bloated software. This is just one example of Parkinson's Law, as in the computer industry.

Another example, let's consider data transmission lines, as in networking. It seems not long ago, we were with 14.4 baud modems over phone lines. I remember when we doubled the speed to 28.8 and 56.4. It seemed like the sky was the limit for any increase. But finally, performance seemed to slow to a crawl. Was it because the technology was aging or was it because our web pages were always bigger and more complicated, which require a greater amount of data about the lines? Honestly, it was the latter. Today, DSL and cable are in households as well as in business and "Dial-up" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. But as data volume increases with the number of participants, we will always hit a wall in terms of capacity with DSL and cable? Undoubtedly. Even more by Parkinson's Law then something else.

Make no mistake, computer hardware and software vendors are aware of the role of Parkinson's Law. It is what allows them to build in planned obsolescence into their products. As a consumer capacity, they can be either additional capacity or, more likely, the purchase of new computers.

It is certainly an incestuous relationship between hardware and software vendors. Hardware enhancements are primarily measures to increase capacity to inefficiencies software and software vendors as their products bloated hardware enhancements are introduced. To illustrate the point, is it a coincidence that every major release of Windows requires additional hardware support? Hardly. This is done more by design than by accident.

CONCLUSION

Parkinson's Law is only so much a part of the computer technology, as set out in the corporate world. But what would happen if we decided to "flat" computer technology in the same way that Jack Welch GE flattened? Remember Welch has to eliminate the bureaucracy and force its employees to become more efficient and focus on the real problems at hand. With the flattening of the "bloatware" We would probably be a lot more mileage from our computers. But I think it would not be good for the sale of computers (or the economy).

I think that Parkinson's Law and the viscous circle of computing power will be with us for quite some time.

Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida, a management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management (IRM). Mr. Bryce has over 30 years experience in the field. He is available for the training and consultancy on an international basis. Its corporate website can be found at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/

He can be reached at: timb001@phmainstreet.com

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