Lesson Learned
- Software Logging
What if a few words could save you millions of dollars in your business? Would you be interested?
I hope to make something complex, yet essential, simple to your success in a complex world.
by: john bowling
"Software Errors Cost Companies Money."
Almost all modern software has problems, and we depend on logs to tell us our way to what is not working. They are a kind of road map. Some are easy to read, some not so much. If we did not have logs, it would be like having a business with no analytics, no recorded videos to coach what sales did right or wrong.
If you’re an executive reading this, you might ask, “Why should I care?” If I told you the plane you are flying in has no avionic logging or your car you just bought did not have that plug where a log could say to the mechanic what is wrong, would you fly or buy it?
Your phone bill is a log. Next question to ask, “I need an executive 101 course on logging?”
Modern Equipment + Logs = Success
Get this formula in your mind; it will save and could make your company money
"Executive 101 Questions."
If failure is not an option, read on. If I am an Executive, how am I to even judge good or bad software? The answer is pretty simple, ask just two questions. You are in a board room, and the presentation is boring you out of your mind about the new software. Ask these two questions: "Do you have logging?" "Please show us how it works?" Now, don't say anything, just listen. If needed, rephrase the same question and keep asking. I small child can teach you the technique. Mom, can I have a cookie? I want one cookie? What if I only had one cookie now? You get the idea.
"Why is a good question."
So now that you know the questions to ask, why does some software not have logs? That is a good question. The answer, money and age. Old software many times had no logging because things long ago were simpler. The other reason is money. It takes smart people to write software, and they cost money. The other reason is if you have no customers to pay for an upgrade, why to add logging.
Let’s recap that in a formula: No Logging + Software = Problems
So what is the lesson in all this? Software is running the world. If we can’t pick good software, how do we compete and “stay in the game.” A standard answer by managers has been, “let them figure it out.” In reality, that one statement has cost companies and nations their standing in this world. The challenge for managers, owners, and corporate leaders will be judging the right software tools. I good place to start is those two questions.
