It's crucial to distinguish between symptoms and causes when addressing issues in your tech. This concept is akin to understanding the difference between "effect" and "affect" in the context of your business operations.

• Effect (noun) "change that results when something is done or happens"
• Affect (verb) "to act on or change someone or something"

Symptoms are the visible manifestations of an underlying issue, the "effect" of a problem. They may include delayed project timelines, decreased productivity, or difficulties using your tech systems. It's essential to recognize that while these symptoms can be treated with "remedies," such quick fixes or workarounds only provide temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause.

Causes represent the underlying factors that lead to these symptoms. These are the true causes that "affect" your ability to improve your tech and processes. Treating these root causes directly requires more effort and resources than finding only fixing a symptom. Still, it is the only way to achieve sustainable improvements in your business projects and their objectives.

By identifying and addressing causes rather than treating symptoms with temporary fixes, you can pave the way for long-term success and efficiency in your business tech endeavors.

Questions for you to ponder; hit reply to share with me if you wish:

• Where have you seen this idea of effects vs. affects appear in your business?
• Where have symptoms vs. causes been addressed in your tech or processes, and how has that worked (or not) for you?

Your technologist,

—Joshua