Toolbook version history
never promise under deliver
I have a long history using Toolbook (since V1.53 in the early 90's). Asymetrix, Click2Learn, SumTotal Systems (the various incarnations of corporate custodians) during that time have never subscribed to the "under promise, over deliver" adage when it comes to release dates.
In fact it seems they have another mantra -- "sort of or never promise, under deliver":
- they never commit to delivery dates of anything though broad hints in various forums are made -- but never delivered upon (I am sure at some point in my 15 + year history they did make a date but none within recent memory)
- management seems to have always gone by the slogan -- "we are not going to communicate with you our loyal customers regarding any delivery times -- only when we are ready to deliver will we deign to inform you". This seems to have been a constant throughout various management regimes so it seems not one individual is responsible but the whole corporate DNA
The latest backhanded "promise" - to provide a downloadable update to Toolbook 9 before Christmas. Not delivered upon.
In this age of more corporate transparency, SumTotal has failed miserably.
What I expect them to do:
- make a public commitment on delivery dates
- deliver to that date (or keep customers intimately involved in reasons why the date is not being met)
Posted by Brian Sullivan at 12:13 Permalink
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