Here’s something I’ve noticed over the last 12 months of project work…where IT is involved, the word “hopefully” gets used a lot. I’ve started pulling people up on that, although it’s not something I can carry on doing without becoming annoying!

It’s a reflection on how complex, unpredictable and unreliable most IT systems and projects are. People who say “hopefully” are reflecting how un-empowered they feel and how unsure of behaviour and outcome.

So far today I have heard it used a dozen times in an IT context, the last time by the receptionist at the local clinic when I needed a password reset. It’s surprisingly hard to stop saying it, I’ve tried but still catch myself doing it. It’s become embedded in our psyche about IT.