Maslow's Law applied to technology: the right tool for the right problem

Picture yourself discovering a brand-new exotic spice. Caught up in the excitement of its unique taste, you begin adding it to everything: pasta, salads, omelets, and even your morning coffee. Quickly, though, the balance is lost. That coffee you used to love? Now it's undrinkable. Why? Because an ingredient, no matter how interesting it may be, isn't meant to be used everywhere.

This phenomenon, often found in teaching and learning frameworks, is equally present across the tech world. When a developer, entrepreneur, engineer, or strategist acquires a new skill, such as a specific architecture or AI technology, hey often fall into the trap of trying to implement it everywhere. Yet, just as with spices, dosage and context are crucial.

Maslow’s Law: Every problem has its own tool

Abraham Maslow, best known for his hierarchy of needs, also proposed a highly relevant principle: "To a man who has only a hammer, everything looks like a nail." In other words, if your toolkit is limited, you risk using the same solution to solve completely different problems. In technology, this approach can quickly lead to costly mistakes.

At KERN IT, we don't just use tech because it's trending. We focus on finding the right tool for the specific problem, guided by key criteria such as:

• Have you identified the right problem? Failing to define it correctly can lead to 'over-engineering' and excessive complexity.
• What is the scope of the problem? Is it a mission-critical issue or a minor improvement?
• What is the cost of failure? The consequences of a poor implementation can vary significantly depending on the context.
• What are the actual time and cost savings? In many cases, a simple solution can be more cost-effective than a sophisticated technology.
• Is there a more straightforward alternative? Never underestimate the power of simple solutions.
• What is the frequency of the problem? It might not be sensible to invest in a costly solution for a rare issue.
• Is the tech stack suitable? An innovative solution doesn't automatically make a technology the right choice for your business problem.

Pragmatism First

Imagine assembling an IKEA piece once every two years. Does that justify buying the latest professional-grade Makita drill? Probably not. Similarly, you don't need to implement a sophisticated AI model if a simple Excel spreadsheet meets your needs perfectly.

At KERN IT, we adopt a pragmatic and thoughtful approach to every project. We evaluate our clients' needs, analyze their challenges, and recommend tailored solutions, avoiding excessive complexity or unnecessary innovation.

Conclusion : réfléchissez avant de taper

Technology is a means, not the goal. Before deploying your "hammer", be it AI or any other trend, ask yourself the key question: "Is this really a nail?" Thoughtful selection leads to greater efficiency, better use of time, and lasting satisfaction.

Choose pragmatism with KERN IT.