Oh I have seen this in spades having worked both sides of the systems acquisition game. Some of it is justified. If your Mr. Coffee puts out radio waves that interferes with your TV – tough luck. If it interferes the the GPS on your aircraft and causes you to fly into a mountain, that’s a different story. So MIL-Standards are tough, but are sometimes applied where they don’t need to be.
I read a story where a guy invented an automatic light dimmer for car headlights. It dimmed when it saw an oncoming car. He went to Buick and they said they already had one. But, he said yours don’t work! Yes, they replied, but they are $1.50 cheaper for each unit.
Our department responsibility was under budget, on time (early, in fact) AND worked from the get-go. Two years later, when the project was finally complete, guess who didn’t get invited to the celebratory luncheon?
The worst thing, and this is where some government spending problems are, if they don’t spend their budget this year, the next years budget does not necessarily reflect next years needs. So, if under budget, they will usually spend it on fluff rather than put it back in the pot.
Whereas, with companies as Mr Sherman reflects, in companies that run under budget management will often get to give themselves or be rewarded with bonuses from the underage, but well, the people that really made it happen get nothing but a hey thanks for my new BMW. And they wonder why we are disgruntled.
Dtroutma about 7 years ago
Highly profitable military contractors!! (But they submitted a cost-plus add-on in the submitted billing.)
Superfrog about 7 years ago
Under budget? It’s a hollow victory.
GreasyOldTam about 7 years ago
Under budget for the prototype, maybe. But moving to production will fix that.
keenanthelibrarian about 7 years ago
Well, it looks like a wheel, it smells like a wheel – what’s so wrong?
David OBrien about 7 years ago
Sometimes ya feel like a nut.
Varnes about 7 years ago
On the show South Park, all Canadian vehicles have square wheels….Those guys kinda pick on Canada..
Welcome to Canada, Canadians all love you.We’re just lake any other country, without the big to do!
Randy B Premium Member about 7 years ago
A product of Wheel, Inc. is by definition a Wheel.
wirepunchr about 7 years ago
Works just fine on the cordirory road.
keenanthelibrarian about 7 years ago
Hell, I don’t know what to do with it – never had one of these before …
Martin I about 7 years ago
As opposed to Government Inc which doesn’t care about a budget.
DanFlak about 7 years ago
Oh I have seen this in spades having worked both sides of the systems acquisition game. Some of it is justified. If your Mr. Coffee puts out radio waves that interferes with your TV – tough luck. If it interferes the the GPS on your aircraft and causes you to fly into a mountain, that’s a different story. So MIL-Standards are tough, but are sometimes applied where they don’t need to be.
Nyckname about 7 years ago
Impossible! Everyone knows private corporations are perfect!
Linguist about 7 years ago
This will never fly !
nosirrom about 7 years ago
I guess I didn’t get this one. I thought “Budget” was the name of the guy who rode it into town.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 7 years ago
I read a story where a guy invented an automatic light dimmer for car headlights. It dimmed when it saw an oncoming car. He went to Buick and they said they already had one. But, he said yours don’t work! Yes, they replied, but they are $1.50 cheaper for each unit.
Znox11 about 7 years ago
It’s one thing to invent a square wheel, but the real idiots are the guys who keep buying them convinced that they work just fine.
sandpiper about 7 years ago
Looks like a prototype toilet seat for a certain jet refurb. Worth 8 mil easy.
ladykat Premium Member about 7 years ago
In a Murphy’s Law book I have, it states: “No project ever comes in on time and under budget.”
Packratjohn Premium Member about 7 years ago
Don’t you people have any vision? This would be PERFECT for driving up and down stairs!
Honorable Mention In The Banjo Toss Premium Member about 7 years ago
Maybe it will at least lead to the inspiration for the doughnut. Then all would not be for nought.
LINK_O_NEAL about 7 years ago
It’s what’s inside that counts.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 7 years ago
One job that was too cheap to cut corners.
sandpiper about 7 years ago
@mso: some one once said, there’s a sucker born every minute
After few generation passed, another guy added: if there isn’t, the government will make it good
It appears they will never renege on that guarantee, however many other things they have promised, then failed to complete.
mr_sherman Premium Member about 7 years ago
Our department responsibility was under budget, on time (early, in fact) AND worked from the get-go. Two years later, when the project was finally complete, guess who didn’t get invited to the celebratory luncheon?
GiantShetlandPony about 7 years ago
The worst thing, and this is where some government spending problems are, if they don’t spend their budget this year, the next years budget does not necessarily reflect next years needs. So, if under budget, they will usually spend it on fluff rather than put it back in the pot.
Whereas, with companies as Mr Sherman reflects, in companies that run under budget management will often get to give themselves or be rewarded with bonuses from the underage, but well, the people that really made it happen get nothing but a hey thanks for my new BMW. And they wonder why we are disgruntled.