human-centered research, analysis and design solutions

I recall during an intensive project a colleague working from a remote location asking, “can’t it ever be a yes or no answer?” The answer was first 1) “It Depends” and than 2) “Most likely no.”

I am certain that contributing to Web, App Development, and any craft / medium that requires intensive collaboration demands clear communication and most often over-communication off or on-site.

A relationship that’s super obvious (and one that I’d love to viz-think out): the more critical our role in a team, the more we have to communicate. The less critical the role the less we are invited to sit at the table and decide. It all comes down to the “it depends.”

Think quarterback vs. running back vs. wide receiver vs. center… What’s the play? Who’s in? Who’s out? What down and what’s the time on the clock? What’s needed to win here? Who’s shouting it? Who’s listening? Who’s in the huddle and what are they listening for?

I love binary answers: they’re short, sweet and certainly clear. Though, we all know what happens when binary thinkers attempt to manage, develop and design what’s supposed to be highly interactive, engaging and human-centric experiences.

Hippos, Seagulls, Chickens & Pigs

How many times have you been off on your merry way during a design effort and in comes the stakeholder that completely de-rails what is looking to be a success? Jared Spool calls this “swoop and poop” leaving everyone in chaos. Beware of Seagull Management!

How about the HIPPO that drops a bomb on a feature or design direction?

And don’t forget about chickens and pigs:

Funny that “design” and “experience” can mean so many things to decision makers that are not in the game but call it from the sidelines or the stands. Personally, I strive for practical ways, tools, and exercises to get everyone on the same page and committed.

When it comes to teams that perform well, remember the now classic analogy. Pigs should be empowered and expected to make decisions, as they’re the ones with skin in the game and on the front lines. Chickens only have something to gain by the pigs performing. I continue to believe that Agile & SCRUM are a perfect fit in the creative workplace and not just a methodology for software development.

Meeting musicians, rock stars, movie stars, actors, artsists, and all the glitz that follows is cool. Though, I learned through the years that often I am far more engaged by the craft and work produced than the person, or persona, I meet.

Now, the relationship of patients and doctors … that interests me. Perhaps it’s the more notion of “healing” that resonates strong with me. These are dynamics that serve the human experience every day and they directly impact our lives and in one of the most profound ways.

While I’m currently in the “eye of the storm” for an Experience Design study focused on Physicians, I wanted to share the observation of how much I value the opportunity of serving healthcare, the practitioners who can use the support, and patients who need compassion and empathy navigating the severe complexity. While being honest with this observation, Ryan Armbruster and Mark Hurst come quickly to mind. In addition, patientslikeme.com is sure on to something.

I am charged and thrive when providing valuable service to business and people. I am a firm believer that design thinking is the next competitive advantage in business and will be for as far as I can tell. I am fortunate enough to have practiced and gained design sensibility with research ability … and confident in understanding the balance of both. I am committed to trusting my instincts more and more every day, as Vision is a terrible thing to waste.

I’ve found that designing for evil and being micro-managed drains people and should be avoided at all costs. I embrace empowerment and the trust that is granted and earned from strong relationships. I continue to ask, in the most sincere way, who am I and how I am serving our world.

I am thankful for the powerful experiences and amazing people that I’ve encountered in the last decade. I look forward to what’s to come in the next and what I make of it. I am eager to continue my learning and understand it often begins with clear goals.