6 ms·

I've had my best results when I shadow the people doing the work I'm building software to aid and even being trained and go through actually performing said tas

• MattGaiser 7y ago
  I've done this too and it was great as so many things are usually left out of the spec while priority goes to things which are rarely or never actually done.
• iluvblender 7y ago
  I can attest to this. As a Technical Director supporting artists the tools I create for them are more effective when I study their process thoroughly and also get my hands dirty. Then design and implement the tool and it becomes my job to manage the complexity. Designing for change is something I keep in mind as well.
• throwaway936482 7y ago
  Yep. This should be step 1 to n of designing software for end users. Understand what the users problems and needs actually are by watching them do their actual job rather than working from a description of what a manager three levels up thinks their job is.
  • davidjnelson 7y ago
    Really good point. I think this is why it’s easier to develop useful software if you are someone who ends up being a user of the software since you have the same problems. You automatically have all the needed empathy.
• Ididntdothis 7y ago
  Same here. Unfortunately there are a lot of middlemen who want to get in between and filter that information. It’s a constant battle to be allowed to stay in touch with the actual users. It doesn’t help that a lot of devs don’t really want to interact with users feeding the stereotype that developers need to be told what to do.