The Hidden Cost of Shortcuts: What a 1985 Tragedy Can Teach Us About CRM Design Decisions

On this day in 1985, a tragic fire at Bradford City's Valley Parade stadium claimed 56 lives and injured many more. The stadium, over 80 years old at the time, had not kept pace with changing safety standards. A dropped cigarette and accumulated debris beneath the wooden stands turned a small incident into a catastrophe.

It's a sobering reminder—but also an invitation to reflect on our own work.

In CRM projects - as implementers, architects or business analysts - we often make design decisions that may seem minor in the moment. But do we pause to ask:

🔷 Will this still work for users in two years’ time?
🔷 Is this a shortcut today, but a costlier fix tomorrow?
🔷 Do we fully understand the ripple effects of our decisions—for the business, users, and the support team?

The future impact of our choices isn’t always visible - and more often than we want to admit can lead to expensive technical debt in the future. But thoughtful planning, curiosity, and care can help us build solutions that stand the test of time—safely, sustainably, and successfully.

👉 If you’re planning or reviewing a CRM project, now is a great time to pause and ask the bigger questions. I’m always happy to have a conversation if you'd like a sounding board.