17th May 2012

Network Dictionary – Quad Orthogonal

A consult-o-speak term for going around in circles to head in the right direction.

The word “orthogonal” means ninety degrees. “Quad” means four. Logically, four ninety degree turns means you end up facing the way you started.

Quad Orthogonal is one of my favourite terms when used to describe Change Control and Risk Management when designed by an MBA graduate with no experience of the industry they are in. Of course, they just hear the buzz word and get excited by the fact that you are joining in their work. Lets face it, Change Control just makes you go round in circles until you do the work anyway. That’s a quad orthogonal process.

“John, I can see what you are trying to achieve and value the quad orthogonal nature of the process that you propose following the dynamic consultation we have performed”

As such, it’s an insult. Of course it is. What else did you expect.

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About Greg Ferro

Greg Ferro is a Network Engineer/Architect, mostly focussed on Data Centre, Security Infrastructure, and recently Virtualization. He has over 20 years in IT, in wide range of employers working as a freelance consultant including Finance, Service Providers and Online Companies. He is CCIE#6920 and has a few ideas about the world, but not enough to really count.

He is a host on the Packet Pushers Podcast, blogger at EtherealMind.com and on Twitter @etherealmind and Google Plus