SNAFU principle: /sna�foo prin�si�pl/, n.

[from a WWII Army ac�ro�nym for ‘Situation Normal, All Fucked Up’] “True communication is possible only between equals, because inferiors are more consistently rewarded for telling their superiors pleasant lies than for telling the truth.:” — a central tenet of Discordianism, often invoked by hackers to explain why authoritarian hierarchies screw up so reliably and systematically. The effect of the SNAFU principle is a progressive disconnection of decision-makers from reality. This lightly adapted version of a fable dating back to the early 1960s illustrates the phenomenon perfectly:


In�the�beginning�was�the�plan,
�������and�then�the�specification;
And�the�plan�was�without�form,
�������and�the�specification�was�void.

And�darkness
�������was�on�the�faces�of�the�implementors�thereof;
And�they�spake�unto�their�leader,
�������saying:
It�is�a�crock�of�shit,
�������and�smells�as�of�a�sewer.


And�the�leader�took�pity�on�them,
�������and�spoke�to�the�project�leader:
It�is�a�crock�of�excrement,
�������and�none�may�abide�the�odor�thereof.


And�the�project�leader
�������spake�unto�his�section�head,�saying:
It�is�a�container�of�excrement,
�������and�it�is�very�strong,�such�that�none�may�abide�it.


The�section�head�then�hurried�to�his�department�manager,
�������and�informed�him�thus:
It�is�a�vessel�of�fertilizer,
�������and�none�may�abide�its�strength.


The�department�manager�carried�these�words
������to�his�general�manager,
and�spoke�unto�him
������saying:
It�containeth�that�which�aideth�the�growth�of�plants,
������and�it�is�very�strong.


And�so�it�was�that�the�general�manager�rejoiced
������and�delivered�the�good�news�unto�the�Vice�President.
It�promoteth�growth,
������and�it�is�very�powerful.


The�Vice�President�rushed�to�the�President's�side,
������and�joyously�exclaimed:
This�powerful�new�software�product
������will�promote�the�growth�of�the�company!


And�the�President�looked�upon�the�product,
������and�saw�that�it�was�very�good.

After the subsequent and inevitable disaster, the suits protect themselves by saying “I was misinformed!”, and the implementors are demoted or fired. Compare Conway's Law.