Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.09.25
What is the difference between fictionware and vaporware, and what is nondiligence?
Fictionware exists but lacks some of the agreed functionality; vaporware does not exist at all. Nondiligence means important documents such as tenders, requirements or contracts are not examined thoroughly, or employees' concerns are not heard.
- Fictionware / vaporware typically arise when people are under strong pressure to hit sales targets or cannot read a request for proposal objectively. The applicable imperative is to be honest and trustworthy; sometimes a professional has to take a stand or walk away from an assignment.
- Nondiligence leads to agreements made without understanding what they commit to. The imperative is to evaluate systems and their risks thoroughly. This is hard in mixed teams of project management, marketing and sales, especially when the honest assessment contradicts senior management's goals.