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Complex systems are often designed by using simple rules and principles. One (of many) such an organizing principle is about choosing a All-in-One Approach or the other – Best-of-Breed design.
The software of Microsoft (and many others) “hide” an All-in-One approach. This is not “bad”, nor “good,” but just a preference. We know this from the mix of the operating system with other functionality. And a recent incident in Internet Explorer reminded me of this kind of architecture: IE7 offers browser tabs. This is a great feature in which you only have to open IE7 once and you can use the same browser-engine for accessing the internet.
One of the main issues with an All-in-One (AiO) approach is that one may spoil for all. In IE7if you are connected to a site that no longer responds you will loose all your connection if you need to abort.
Another example of an All-in-one configuration are music equipments where different devices – like a CD-player and a tuner — are stored in one single box. The design of such a single box is easier to streamline, but individual “best-of-breed” devices are often technically more sophisticated. In such a best-of-breed (BoB) architecture a buyer may choose to select the best o each type of device. The best CD recorder is perhaps from a different supplier than one from a supplier which offers all (in one).
Both configurations – AiO and BoB – are used in a wide area, also in organizations and systems design. The advantage of designing software and systems with a AiO-approach is that you do not have the search the market and buy from a “expensive” supplier and integrate a solution that will not perfectly match to your needs. Rather designing and developing AiO by your own organization is perceived to be much easier. Management of one development team is easier than managing different parties.
Awareness of such principles helps your organization in the development of product development and design. This awareness is however only a first – but important – step in managing of systems development.
© 2007 Hans Bool
