We’ve been working with a managed service provider (MSP) to make some configuration changes to a production environment. In theory, the MSP adds value by ensuring we only make changes within our organization’s SLA and policies. They are the guardrails.
Similar to our discussion about command-line vs. automation, sometimes we can outsmart ourselves. The layers of friction that IT adds are a similar challenge. We can feel if we are protecting our users from themselves, and in reality, we are causing friction.
Before I adopt new organizational-wide policies and rules, I ask myself some basic questions.
What’s the productivity cost of the rule?
Does it actually protect or enable the thing?
Is it worth the political cost?
Is this the hill I want to die on?