[Sigia-l] what are best practices (was OT: Library Thing)

[Karl Fast]

> In the medical example I gave, the "best practice" for years was
> wrong. Somebody had to, heaven forbid, defy the orthodoxy to
> "innovate" a solution/cure. The innovation was defying not requiring
> it.

I presume that this new innovative solution/cure will now be
translated into a best practice. What does that say about the value
of best practices?

The old solution/cure was captured in a best practice. Of course it
turned out to be wrong, but when the old best practice was made it
would have reflected all that was known at the time.

The new solution/cure will be captured in a best practice. And like
the one is replaces, it will be based on what is currently known. As
we gain new knowledge, it too shall pass away.

So does this example show that best practices have no value?

This is a bit zen, but if best practices are fundamentally flawed
(as opposed to people's usage of best practices), does the act of
creating a best practice nullify the knowledge that underlies the
best practice?

The old best practice was based on what was known at the time. Now
there is new knowledge that shows the old knowledge was incomplete
and incorrect. Therefore the old best practice was wrong. But the
new knowledge will be used to create a new best practice.

So does it follow that best practices have no value? 





--
Karl Fast
http://www.livingskies.com/