John,
Your line of thought is very seductive. Let's bring the failure out into the sunlight, examine it, find to root cause and fix it. The problem is that it will not work.
The breakdowns which did happen are process flaws. Nothing good will happen until the process is corrected (or made to match today's requirements). I have been somewhat involved in process improvement in my career. It is a messy, slow, frustrating process. The number one obstacle in every process improvement effort is the agitated executive who wants to problem fixed NOW! (goddamit!).
The media, public and politicians will have no taste for the real work of improving the process. The current public airing of breakdowns is counterproductive. It builds pressure for an immediate solution. Since there will be very little available in terms of real immediate solutions, a pretend solution will be offered forth. It will involved the finding a scapegoat (or two). Everyone involved is now incented to avoid being the scapegoat and will spend their time ensuring that someone else takes the rap. Eventually it will end up in some form of big public spectacle (special investigation, congressional hearings, criminal trial). The blood lust will get satisfied. There may even be a big multi-agency 'peace conference' where everyone signs up the 'share the information' program.
Trouble is that nothing will have changed in the worldview or operating processes of the people doing the work each day. The FBI believe that sharing information with local police is bad. There is something in their worldview that tells them this makes sense. Until you alter their worldview you have accomplished nothing.
The big public noise, however, just sends everybody off into their corners to protect and defend themselves and their worldview (since self and worldview are not separate issues).
Real change is hard work. It requires leadership, vision, trust, resources and time. I see none of these things in the present situation.
Meanwhile, the press, public and politicos will take down Assistant Director WrongPlace WrongTime and call for the creation of the InterAgency Muckity Muck College. Then we will all move on, congratulate ourselves on making a difference, and we will turn out attention to the next big story.
This leads to the subject of the shocking lack of leadership shown by George W. Bush lately but that is another rant ...
Paul |
