Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 31st December 2006

Dilbert//6469, first published twenty years ago on Sunday 31st December 2006

Official transcript

I'll ask the vendor for ballpark prices to see if the idea is feasible. "You can't talk with vendors until our change control board approves the project."

"But that would require a cost-benefit analysis."

"And I can't do that without ballpark prices from the vendor."

"Just take your best guess."

"So...I should make up a number so I can get approval to make a phone call and ask what the number should have been?"

"Right. But first you need to get my approval to do the cost-benefit analysis."

"Will you approve it?"

"I'd have to see the numbers."

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

ILL ASK THE VENDOR FOR BALLPARK PRICES TO SEE IF THE IDEA IS FEASIBLE.

YOU CAN'T TALK WITH VENDORS UNTIL OUR CHANGE CONTROL BOARD APPROVES THE PROJECT.

BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A COST- BENEFIT ANALYSIS.

AND I CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT BALLPARK PRICES FROM THE VENDOR.

JUST TAKE YOUR BEST GUESS.

SO... I SHOULD MAKE UP A NUMBER SO I CAN GET APPROVAL TO MAKE A PHONE CALL AND ASK WHAT THE NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN?

RIGHT. BUT FIRST YOU NEED TO GET MY APPROVAL TO DO THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS.

WILL YOU APPROVE IT?

I'D HAVE TO SEE THE NUMBERS.

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

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