ZDNet’s Krigsman is Correct: I.T. DOES Lose Credibility by Speaking in Technical Jargon

Michael Krigsman, driving force behind ZDNet’s IT Project Failures blog, nailed it yesterday when he wrote, “Is IT becoming extinct?”

In one of seven points he makes as to why he believes that the average Information Technology department is headed for death’s door, he writes,

“IT loses credibility by speaking in technical jargon . . .”

Michael Krigsman, “Is IT becoming extinct?” ZDNet, 3-23-08

As I explained earlier today in a post on Utah Tech Watch,

“Jargon in any form is antithetical to the Betty Factor and creates a huge disconnect between many IT professionals and corporate executives.”

“The Slow, Lingering Death of I.T.,” David Politis, UtahTechWatch.com, 3-24-08

Not only is technology jargon antithetical to Betty Factor principles, jargon in any form between any technical person and a non-technical person is communications death. 

UNLESS (of course) the technical person KNOWS for an absolute certainty that the non-technical person understands the basic, underlying concepts/premises of the matter being discussed.

The problem is that such certainty is very, very difficult to attain. Hence, in almost all instances, I.T. does lose credibility by speaking in technical jargon.

TIP:

When in doubt, always simplify and demystify any sales, marketing and/or marketing communications materials or efforts.

Getting “more granular” (going into more detail) in a technical discussion is NEVER the problem.

Conversely, explaining something in less time and/or with fewer words or images is ALWAYS MORE DIFFICULT.

Don’t believe me? Fine.

Take a technical product, service or concept and describe it in eight to 10 minutes. Now take that same product, service or concept and boil it down to a 30-second explanation.

Which was harder? Exactly.

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