Offering a Nostradamus-like insight into the future, ‘father of Computer-Aided Software Engineering’ Dr James Martin predicts a revolution that will dwarf the impact of the Industrial Revolution, namely the demise of ordered hierarchies. Part of this new world will be populated by virtual corporations that will appear quite different in structure from that of their actual real world organisations. If this leaves you scratching your head in puzzlement, then Martin recommends a look at the practice of outsourcing, where operations within a company can be outsourced and are, therefore, not visible to the outsider. Those best suited to receiving, using and copying ideas and knowledge will be the most likely to succeed. Copyright protection will be negligible. Dr Martin, who has been a consultant to the computer and telecommunications industry and governments is to lecture here in London this month.
