Peter Drucker’s quote is one of the most common business management axioms. Business leaders tend to focus on high-level measurements and management, so network management is simply too down in the weeds for most leaders. Managing the network typically falls to mid-level managers, who have to juggle business requirements and budgets. A gap then exists between network operations and what the business leaders think is happening.
Network infrastructure is similar to other physical infrastructure, such as conveyor belts, sorters, plumbing, pumps, and assembly lines. None of this infrastructure can be ignored without risk to the business.
