When is "good enough" good enough.

Some thoughts on Index Numbers (Oct 1952) by A.J.H Morrell M.A. Mathematician and Statistician.

“Perfect accuracy is unattainable-and unnecessary. Some of you may have heard of the foreman, an ex-sergeant-major, who was walking round the plant, finding fault. He came to one operative, picked up some gadet he had just made and said, “Is this right?” “Its near enough,” replied the operative. “I don’t want it near enough,” snapped the foreman, “I want it right.” “Very well,” said the operative, “It is right.” The foreman examined it carefully and measured it, then grunted, “That’s near enough.””

I think this holds true for many situations today, the problem is knowing when “near enough” is near enough as at present there is no ISO standard for “near enough”.