The Black Box

In Portugal,  project management is generally well thought out and planned, yet it is still a major concern due to it's poor practical execution. Is the core of the problem perhaps the lack of suitable and effective work tools? Would it be the lack of certified maintenance staff that wrongly stick by redundant and dated work methods? Or are financial difficulties with public and private institutions at the core of this issue?

What kind of tools were used (or not) at these institutions? And if they weren't used to their full potential, why were they purchased in the first place? Or is it out of habit that no qualified staff was there to make an informed decision so it wasn't given much thought? Why is rudimentary spreadsheet software still being used as a primary management solution to organize large quantities of sensitive data whilst providing easy access to modify them, leaving no trace behind?..

Efficient information systems have the responsibility of adapting to any circumstance, whether it be providing work flexibility in certain areas or restricting data in others. They are then able to maintain and constantly monitor entire projects at a time. As this takes place, if any issue arises, these systems would also be smart enough to notify administrators and provide all sorts of important data pertaining as to how the problem occurred, where and possible solutions to fix it.

Just like the automatic pilot in an airplane is able to maintain a precise heading and altitude, a similar system cannot let a project be modified outside its operational scope without special administrative permissions. If such is given, every action taken by the user will be registered and monitored in it's own "Black Box".

This would make the process of ascertaining the responsibilities of millions of euros much more efficient...

Luis Calçada