Paralysis by analysis? The dilemma of choice and the risks of technology evaluation

When we observe the typical outcomes of technology management and investment appraisal and technology (Irani et al., 2001; Remenyi et al., 2000) there is still a wide variation in how evaluation of technology is carried out and the results that are achieved. What has been learnt so far however (Sharif et al., 2005), is that as organisational goals and circumstances change, so do / should the appraisal process. However, the process and nature of evaluating and making technology decisions requires continual experience and applied knowledge in order to succeed. But I fear that there is a real risk of trying to do too much, to over-analyse, to over-evaluate; thereby intrinsically increasing complexity and widening choice and uncertainty. To highlight this, consider the following scenario.