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the180 - Don't Spend a Dime on Technology...
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go
to the180 web
discussion
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Don't Spend a Dime on Technology.....
...... Until You Know It Works!
According to
Wall Street Journal, "Roughly 40% of all
information-technology projects fail or are canceled.
... The average aborted project is slated to last 27 weeks, but is canceled
after 14 weeks. Companies spend nearly $1 million, on average,
on projects that fail." (bolding not in original article)
- "Tech Project Inefficiencies Found in Corporate Study,"
WSJ, 11/14/2000
It doesn't have to be this way.
Don't spend a dime on technology until....
... You create task scenarios.
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They describe a likely motivation and circumstance for a real user.
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They rely on someone using the proposed new or modified technology.
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The scenarios must deal with common and critical tasks that justify the proposed technology investment.
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Example of a scenario is at http://www.grantconsulting.com/stlstudy/archv_scen.htm
... You create fast prototypes of the final screen design.
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Can be done very effectively with paper, pencil, scissors, and post-it correction tape.
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'Fake' the data quickly with pencil and paper.
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Neatness doesn't count, and in fact gets in the way.
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Testers will take the prototypes as seriously as you do.
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Example of what a paper prototype looks like is at http://www.grantconsulting.com/whateverPrototype/
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90% if what matters to your users and customers can be represented with this kind of prototype.
... You prepare for the test.
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Designate someone to do nothing but manage the prototype.
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Known as the 'human computer'.
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One other person should observe and take notes.
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Ideally, a third person facilitates.
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You grab a user to test your design.
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Ideally someone outside your organization.
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Ideally someone close to your customer profile.
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AT LEAST get somebody, even if someone from customer service or a friend.
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Get someone from outside the project.
... You do the test.
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The facilitator has the user read aloud your scenario.
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The user uses her pencil to 'point-and-click' and to 'type' in data.
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The human computer busily puts the correct 'parts' of the computer screen in front of the user.
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The human computer puts the correct 'data' in front of the user.
... You get valuable feedback.
- 100%, no-doubt-about-it, works-every-time-it-is-tried, feedback that WILL prompt you to change the design.
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All without a dime spent on programming.
... You make changes to the prototype, and test it again.
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Don't wait long, best if you already have another user scheduled to come the next day.
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Make changes, test, and repeat for several times until it is good enough.
When done, you have a superior technology design you can put your confidence -- and your money -- in.
Posted January 22, 2002
By Joe Grant
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Grant
Consulting, Inc.
located in metro St. Louis, MO, USA |
1013
Bradington Court
Columbia, IL 62236 |
info@grantconsulting.com
(314) 581-0384 |
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Copyright
© 2003 by Grant Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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