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I start with a "that takes like 3 seconds easy" sub-feature on the "it looks really easy" feature such as entering a user's name into a text box. Then I ask the
by elbenshira 16y ago
I start with a "that takes like 3 seconds easy" sub-feature on the "it looks really easy" feature such as entering a user's name into a text box. Then I ask the "looks really easy" person questions:
- What is a "name" exactly?
- What about names in other languages?
- How do we search for names in other languages?
- What if the user puts something that is clearly not a name e.g. bob@example.com. But what if it is someone's name?
- What about cultures with no last name?
- What about security? How do we make sure that someone doesn't try destroy our data with the name text box?
And on and on. Basically, I make them think like me. Usually, they either (1) realize it's hard or (2) say "fine!" (meaning they realize it's hard).
- detst 16y agoI've also had the experience that they take this as just being difficult and making things seem more complicated than they need to be. They'll try to simplify or eliminate the problems that you present not understanding the implications or stubbornly believe that what you need to do is simple. I love dealing with people that think that what I do is as far above their head as brain surgery; much easier to deal with.
- babyduck 16y agoI really like this idea, though I've done a lesser version of it and I did get the feeling that she thought I was overcomplicating things. I'm also starting to realize that the focus required to work through problems like this is pretty extreme. It feels normal to us because we do it all the time, but for many people it's almost impossible. They just kind of bounce off the problem. They solve one or two parts, then as it gets harder they either gloss over the rest, or they come up with a completely different idea so that they can go back into high-level brainstorming mode.