Enterprise software isn’t usually very glamorous, but it should be excellent.

This is not the same as saying it should be luxurious. A balanced, sharpened knife with a plain wood handle exemplifies excellence more than a poorly balanced, dull knife with an ivory-inlade, jewel-encrusted hilt. Craftsmanship, precision, and suitability for purpose are the marks of excellence. An excellent product may cost more up front, but can save money in the long run by lasting longer and allowing more efficient operation.

Excellent enterprise software is easy to maintain, and minimizes the work of the human beings who have to use it.

Excellent products arise from a culture that values excellence. What can we include in the Administrative Master Plan that will help us build such a culture?