I originally posted this a comment on Slashdot back in November of 2009. I have been thinking a lot lately about the mediocre process most companies do for the planning and upgrading of MIS/IS/IT systems.  This little bit of humor holds as true today a it 10 years ago.

1) Buy a comprehensive insurance policy
2) Write a detailed implementation plan that you copied from a Google search
3) Wait the 3-6 months the plan calls out before actual “work” begins
4) Burn down the building using a homeless person as the schill
5) Submit an emergency “continuity” plan that you wanted to deploy all along
6) implement the new plan in one third the time of the original plan
7) come in under budget by 38.3%
8) hire a whole new help desk at half the budgeted payroll (52.7% savings)
9) speak at the board meeting: challenges you over came to saving the company
10) Graciously accept the position of CIO
…then…
Send all paychecks and bonuses to a numbered bank account and retire to a non-extradition country.  🙂