BIKE SHED Meaning and
Definition
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Bike Shed:
The term "bike shed" refers to a concept related to decision-making within organizations, particularly in bureaucracies or large groups. It is used to describe the phenomenon where individuals tend to devote excessive time and effort discussing trivial or inconsequential matters, while avoiding or neglecting more important or complex issues. The name is derived from a hypothetical scenario in which a group of people is tasked with building a nuclear power plant and ends up spending more time debating the design and color of the bike shed than the complicated technical aspects of constructing the power plant itself.
The concept of bike shedding highlights how people often prioritize the discussion of familiar and simple topics over more challenging subjects, as they feel more comfortable contributing to the former. This behavior can lead to wasting precious time and resources on unimportant matters, resulting in inefficiency and delays in decision-making processes.
The bike shed concept also touches upon the tendency for individuals to seek validation or engage in debates about easily understood topics, while avoiding discussions related to complex and specialized issues that may require specialized knowledge or expertise. The notion of bike shedding serves as a reminder for organizations to stay focused on the most critical tasks and avoid getting caught up in trivial or peripheral discussions.
Common Misspellings for BIKE SHED
- vike shed
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Etymology of BIKE SHED
The word "bike shed" is derived from the concept known as Parkinson's Law of Triviality or "The Bike Shed Effect". This concept was first introduced in the book "Parkinson's Law: The Pursuit of Progress" by C. Northcote Parkinson. The term "bike shed" itself was coined by Parkinson to illustrate the tendency for people to give disproportionate attention to minor or trivial matters while neglecting more important or complex issues.
The analogy is derived from a fictional scenario in the book where a committee is tasked with approving the construction of a nuclear power plant. As the discussion progresses, most members of the committee find themselves lacking the expertise necessary to contribute meaningfully to the technical aspects of the project. Consequently, they decide to focus their attention on more accessible and relatable aspects, such as the design and color of the bike shed which will be built alongside the plant.
Similar spelling words for BIKE SHED
