Riding roughshod over the standard
We had a bit of an issue last week. We were trying something new and it went — how can I best put it? — belly up. In fact its belly went so far up it ended up in a conversation with our risk and compliance team. They were displeased. They plan to audit our standards.
An emotional reaction
If there is a word that provokes a reaction in me it is “standards”. Depending on the circumstances it can be somewhere between boredom — “let’s discuss the standard”, antipathy — “could you create a standard?” or fear — “let’s audit the standard”.
You need to be a special type of person to enjoy standards, the sort off person who would apply for a job in compliance….
I see myself as an innovative, creative type — maybe I am delusional — but standards just get in the way. There is nothing that hampers innovation and change quite as much as a rigidly enforced standard.
The case for the standard
I rely on the standards every day
- Without a standard internet protocol I couldn’t publish this post.
- Without standard shipping containers my lap top would be stuck on a dockside in China.
- Without standard measures we’d all be arguing about performance, not improving it.
- Without standard time we’d all show up to at the wrong meetings, I’m late enough as it is.
- Without a standard language nobody would understand a word I was saying. No smart comments, thanks v. much.
That is before we discuss standard programming languages, mobile telephony standards, driving standards…
There is no glory in standards
Yet our economies run on them, from nuts and bolts to bar codes and paper money. Standards promote cooperation. That is what innovation is built on.
I will try to remember that whilst I am being audited.
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Photo by Francisco Arnela on Unsplash
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