Critical Path Newsletter
User Research Traps
When we first start chatting with customers about helping with the design and research for a new product, and we start talking about user research, we’re often interrupted. "We're already doing that - we understand exactly what our customers are looking for".
Managers who use LSD get innovative results
From Sigmund Freud to Jimi Hendrix to Stephen King, some of the greatest minds have resorted to extreme measures to unleash their creativity and push the limits of innovation.
Now think of your company's management team - do you feel that same commitment to ground-breaking innovation?
The last time I interviewed project managers, I asked them the typical questions about scheduling, budgeting, difficult employees, etc. and they gave me the typical answers. But when I asked the question "How do you promote innovation?" - I got a lot of blank stares.
I Know My Role, I Know My Project, But What’s My Motivation?
Phil Spector is trying to complete the Let It Be album, but the lads from Liverpool are on the outs. He gathers them together in the studio and says:
Listen fellas, I know you got problems, but think of the music! You guys are the Beatles, for chrissakes! Four distinct personalities combining to make the perfect pop group!
Why Is Design-thinking Failing To Penetrate Software Companies?
As Chief Software Architect for Macadamian, my role is very technical, though I've long had an interest in design and the user experience. Since Macadamian merged with a design firm, I’ve been trying to teach myself about design and study how design-thining is adopted in the software field. Over the past couple of years, I reached the opinion that properly designed software is the exception, not the norm. Why is that?
Three Questions that Separate a Good PM from a Great One
I just finished a round of interviews for a project manager position. I asked the classic questions about planning budgets and releases, dealing with underperforming team members, etc. and got back the classic responses. But I asked three questions I found separated the PMs who coasted through their careers from the ones who were in the trenches with their teams:
- How do you identify the warning signs of project failure?
- How do you identify risks?
- How often do you talk to your team?
The Principles of Great UI Design
If there were simple rules you could follow and create a great interface every time, then there would be no bad interfaces. Users would find the features they’re looking for without hunting for them. Everything would always be intuitive. The people who write online help would have to hit the unemployment lines.
Fortunately for technical writers, but unfortunately for the rest of us, it’s not that easy. Solid rules you can follow to come up with great output every time just don’t exist.
Development nightmares: Steps for effective behavior change
I’ve discovered a new favorite TV show, Kitchen Nightmares. In it, real-life chef Gordon Ramsay, one of the most successful restaurateurs in the world, goes to struggling restaurants and troubleshoots their problems.
Can your candidate spot missing requirements?
There may be software project managers in the world who can define every last technical requirement of the tasks he assigns, quickly and on the fly. I’m not one of them. With time pressure and daily distractions, there will always be missing requirements in the tasks I assign.
The “T” word 2: Trustworthiness
In the last Critical Path, I talked about how the lack of trust contributed to the failure of a project at Macadamian. Today I'd like to talk about how you ensure a partner deserves that trust; how you know they're trustworthy.
The T Word
At Macadamian, we’ve always known that trust is a vital component of the outsourcing relationship. In this Critical Path and the next one, we will talk about a couple different aspects of the “T” word. First, a little story about why trust in the outsourcing relationship is so important. Sadly, the story is unhappy—and true.