What increases both costs and support requirements in a technological environment?

Complexity is a key factor that drives up both costs and support requirements in a technological environment. When systems, processes, and technologies become more complex, there is an increase in the number of components that must be managed and maintained. This complexity can lead to higher operational costs due to the need for specialized skills, more extensive training for staff, and greater time requirements for troubleshooting and problem resolution.

Additionally, as technology ecosystems evolve and become more intricate, the risk of failure increases, which necessitates more robust support and maintenance strategies. Therefore, organizations must allocate additional resources—both financial and personnel—to effectively manage this complexity, leading to increased overhead.

In contrast, simplicity promotes efficiency and ease of use, often reducing both costs and support requirements. Standardization helps in streamlining processes and reducing variations, which can also lead to lower support needs. Monitoring, while critical for maintaining system health, mainly contributes to proactive management rather than inherently increasing costs or support challenges. Hence, it is the aspect of complexity that distinctly correlates with increased costs and support burdens.