A Good IT Solution is Like a Good Theory

What makes a good IT solution?

Theory = “A coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena.” Random House Dictionary

Consider the analogy, Solution = Theory.

T: Explains a whole class of phenomena.

S: Solves a whole class of problems.

T: Predicts results that have not yet been discovered.

S: Highlights and solves problems that have not yet been defined.

T: Does not conflict with existing results.

S: Does not break existing solutions.

T: Parsimony: Everything else being equal, the simplest theory is to be preferred.

S: As simple as possible, but no simpler.

T: No one theory explains everything.

S: No one solution provides a universal panacea.

T: Models changing relationships between observed data over time

S: Models changing relationships between input data over time

References

• Developing a Good Theory

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