I first heard this little acronym from Grant Fritchey (b | t). He used it when talking about backups and restores, and I like it. However I realize that I’ve never actually noted what it is, so a short blog to do so today.

An RGE is a Resume Generating Event. This is usually when you make a mistake so egregious that you’ll be packing up your personal effects and exiting the building. If it’s really bad, such as releasing financial or other confidential information, you might be escorted out and someone else packs up your things. I’ve seen it happen, and it will shake you. Don’t do this.

We talk about forgetting about backups, or writing bad code or some important task we often perform as causing an RGE. In my experience, that doesn’t happen too often. Companies usually have a fairly high tolerance for mistakes.

However, that tolerance is usually extended only once. Don’t make the same mistake again. I’d also note that some managers can be very short tempered, and a single, large issue might be an RGE in their eyes.

I don’t usually worry about causing an RGE, but I keep the acronym in mind. Especially when I do something that could affect the core parts of my organization’s business.

Filed under: Blog Tagged: backup, career, syndicated