If you consider and compare the projects that we execute today vs what was done ten years back, the complexity has become higher both in terms of the problem as well as the solution around it. Partly this complexity attributes to the complexity of the requirements, IT explosion and complex integration needs, and also the frameworks and tools that help in solving today’s problems rapidly but at the cost of certain other factors like huge learning curve, assuming one understands the basics and principles of software engineering, need for rapid application development etc. The root cause in falling systems usually ends up with a crack in the wall, something obvious and simple thoroughly overseen and attention given to something else. Here is a short and humorous dialogue between Sherlock Holmes and Mr. Watson that is an analogy to the above.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went camping. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down in their tent and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged Watson awake

“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” “What does that tell you?” Holmes questioned.

Watson pondered a while.

“Astronomically, it tells me that here are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.”
“Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.”
“Chronologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.”
“Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant.”
“Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”
“What does it tell you?”

Holmes was silent for a minute, and then spoke.

“Watson, you ass. Someone has stolen our tent!”

Have a great week