Yes, SPECS! One part of being CIO was getting staff to write specs. Users talked to programmers who wrote code. Who knew what the computers did? Previously as a consultant I worked with an officer in TRIMIS, the military's health care system. He spec'd an expensive Burroughs computer and software just like one they had. I insisted on writing a functional spec and going out for bids. Costs came in a a tenth of their original expectations.
But it is impossible to write a good spec and enforce it, if the rules are unclear (eg ALARA) or the regulator can change the rules after the spec is written,
Yes, SPECS! One part of being CIO was getting staff to write specs. Users talked to programmers who wrote code. Who knew what the computers did? Previously as a consultant I worked with an officer in TRIMIS, the military's health care system. He spec'd an expensive Burroughs computer and software just like one they had. I insisted on writing a functional spec and going out for bids. Costs came in a a tenth of their original expectations.
Agree, the spec is all important.
https://jackdevanney.substack.com/p/what-if-tanker-crew-deaths-are-intolerable
If the spec is well written, well bid, and well enforced you will get a good plant at a good price. If not you are screwed.
The UAE seems to have done a decent job at Barakah. Westinghouse/Southern the opposite at Vogtle.
https://jackdevanney.substack.com/p/the-n-stamp
But it is impossible to write a good spec and enforce it, if the rules are unclear (eg ALARA) or the regulator can change the rules after the spec is written,