In baseball, the game is basically the same as it's always been, but as a coach, I'm relatively inexperienced. There have been many occasions when I've been outstrategized by the opposition's much more experienced coach. As a network manager I have much more experience, having been in the business for more than 15 years. Unfortunately, the rules of the game keep changing. Just when I get comfortable with a particular strategy, some new technology is introduced that challenges both my knowledge and my instincts.
Nobody likes a coach who is waving the runner home with one hand and back to third with the other.
There are many situations we face every day as network managers that test our strategic thinking. The instincts that come from experience counsel you to stick with what works. Call me risk-averse if you'd like, but I'd rather stick with Novell than take my chances on a NOS that can't hit under pressure. Planning Instincts and strategy are essential, no doubt about it. But the best overall strategy can't be turned into runs if you're an ineffective planner.