How is the story of the bullet-hole-riddled fighter aircraft from World War II related to the implementation of ERP solutions?
Survival bias is a cognitive bias that occurs when we focus on the individuals or things that have survived a particular event while ignoring those that did not. This can lead to a false sense of security and an overestimation of the actual risks involved. One of the most famous examples of survival bias is the story of the bullet hole-riddled aircraft from World War II.
The Story 🎤
During World War II, the military noticed that the returning aircraft that had been heavily damaged by enemy fire often had bullet holes in the same areas. They assumed these areas were the most vulnerable and reinforced them to better protect the aircraft and crew. However, they were not because the fighter plane that had been hit in these areas and did not return, was not included in the data set. This is the survival bias.
The story of the bullet-hole-riddled fighter aircraft is a powerful reminder of the dangers of survival bias. We often focus on the survivors of a particular event and assume that they are representative of the entire population when in reality, the data is skewed toward those who were lucky enough to survive. This can lead to a false sense of security and an underestimation of the risks involved. To avoid survival bias, it is important to consider all the data, including those who did not survive, to have a more accurate understanding of the situation.
The Relevance 💡
Now, let's apply this concept to the field of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions. Many companies may look at their competitors who have successfully implemented an ERP solution and assume that it is the right fit for them as well. However, they may not be aware of the companies that have tried and failed to implement the same solution. Businesses need to conduct thorough research and gather data from a variety of sources, including those who have tried and failed with a certain ERP solution, to make an informed decision.
In conclusion, the story of the bullet-hole-riddled aircraft from World War II illustrates the dangers of survival bias. It is important to keep in mind that the survivors of a particular event may not be representative of the entire population and to consider all the data, including those who did not survive, in order to have a more accurate understanding of the situation. The same applies when it comes to implementing an ERP solution, it's important to gather data from a variety of sources, including those who have tried and failed with a certain solution, in order to make an informed decision.