Blind Faith:

"But there came a day when, without the slightest warning,
without any previous hint of feebleness, the entire communication
system broke down, all over the world, and the world as they
understood it, ended." (Forster, 1964)


Time is required for system developers to install and debug even
the most carefully conceived technological applications. When a
direct interface exists between the user and the new component or
installation, adequate time is also required for the user group
to assimilate the new technology into the work regime. The
difficulty encountered in the installation of an optical search
and retrieval (OSAR) system for California's statewide property
lien records illustrates the unreasonable expectations that often
surround new technologies.  The system developer requested a 30
day start-up period, and advised the state to keep the existing
system operational until the new system was fully functional. 
The state budget office refused the request to maintain the
existing database and deactivated it.  As systems engineers
worked to install and debug the new OSAR system, it was able to
operate at only 30% of designed capacity.  In the ensuing
confusion, over 50,000 lien search requests were backlogged. 
This meant that bankers couldn't make loans, and commercial
businesses couldn't borrow.  The California Banking Association
estimated that costs to both banks and businesses will be in the
millions of dollars.  According to the system developer, the
state "just wanted to turn on the switch on and have our new
system running at 100%.  That's impossible in the start-up phase
of a project this complex" (Miles, 1989).

This incident demonstrates the danger of uninformed decisions
based on an unrealistic expectation of technological
capabilities, and it underscores the need to carefully
choreograph the adaptation of new technologies into the work
regime.  In subscribing to the promises of increased
effectiveness and cost benefits that emerging technologies appear
to offer, it is essential for end users to work closely with the
experts who best understand the technology.  Additionally, simple
common sense dictates the maintenance of an existing system as
backup until its replacement is operating efficiently and
according to design parameters.  

<ffile15>   Moderation
<ffile16>   Technological Compulsions
<ffile19>   Cautions
<ffile24>   Artificial Intelligence