You find them a lot. The advice to change product X for Product Y because Y is endowed with superior features, higher overall quality, etc. in fact, such an advice is about changing from one provider to another. And the product can be anything as simple as a Web browser or complicated as an information system.

And because there are so many of these well meant advices, they might make you hesitate. Should I really change this product? And already, "I've bought it one a few weeks ago," or "we implemented the information system after six month of hard work..."

Well you shouldn't change anything.

First of all don't forget that products converge all the time, this is a cyclical process where one manufacturer adds a new features that will be imitated by another provider shortly. You shouldn't forget the energy you have to spend on this change either. Imagine if you are to replace one browser for another. You have read about all the different features, and that comes the moment of change, and there is always one feature that the new product doesn't support, or that it will handle it differently. This will involve you in a change process you wasn't prepared for.

But most important of all, you should change, because of the advice itself. Of course there are better products, more sophisticated solutions and other approaches to your business. Yet you (or your organization) should already be engaged in work. Your priorities should be set to focus on day to day business and making plans for the near future. Changing Product X for Product Y will only keep you from your goals.

Therefore, your business, products or applications should be in serious trouble before changing it. Even so, unless your notebook, browser or mobile is broken, continue to use it. Remember the old saying; if it ain't broke don't fix it.

2006 Hans Bool