User:Superdog1138.7/Overclocker Phenomenon

The Overclocker Phenomenon is a trend in the Information Technology (IT) workplace. 

Definition
The Overclocker Phenomenon is a growing trend in the IT workplace where highly skilled IT professionals are routinely asked to work beyond the traditional 40 hour work week. 

Background
During the late 1990s, the level of effort to solve the Y2K dilemma outstripped the number of engineers in the workplace. To address this issue and be certain of Y2K readiness, companies began utilizing off-shore and imported on-site IT professionals to augment in-house staff. After Y2K, companies continued to utilize this staff due to the low cost and eagerness of off-shore workers to work long hours to meet deadlines. Today the imported on-site IT professionals are frequently foreign nationals, H1B visa holders, and green card holders. 

Sub Effect
The sub effect of the Overclocker Phenomenon is that the traditional work week has increased for everyone and today it is no longer a traditional 40 hour week. This is the result of the willingness of the off-shore and temporary teams to work long hours, poor management, and the "If I Can Do it, You can do it Syndrome".

Criticism
1. Overclocker Phenomenon is nearly always a result of poor project management. Unrealistic deadlines, poor requirements gathering, and underestimating are chief reasons for IT project failures that lead to Overclocker Phenomenon.  2. The quality of work produced by an Overclocker is of questionable value. The number of hours spent on a project does not correlate to quality. Mistakes increase exponentially with the length of the day.  3. Workers experiencing Overclocker Phenomenon have reduced morale, higher stress levels, and lower loyalty to a company.