[Sigia-l] User Test Cost - Does this sound reasonable?

[Christopher Gomez]

//-- SNIP --// Listera //

> Yes there are many stakeholders, yes the UI is the most visible item out
> there, yes everyone will want a piece of it and yes "this is the way 
> things
> are."
>
> No, this isn't the way things should be.
>
> Joe at Accounting or George at Sales has a comment on UI/design. Just as
> Jack the Developer does. Why should Jack be taken more seriously then 
> Joe or
> George?

//-- SNIP --// Listera //


But what makes you think that Joe from Accounting and George at Sales 
aren't taken more seriously than, or as seriously as Jack? Then again, 
even if they aren't taken seriously, the application that's being 
developed most probably concern the developer(s) and the designer(s) - 
so it's an equal partnership between these two disciplines to map out 
the course of action. If it's an Intranet most would advocate getting 
the various Joe-s and George-s involved, because you'd want these folks 
to give you the feedback you need (unless you're saying the feedback 
from them isn't really relevant - which is the IA's prerogative [fault?] 
for not taking them seriously). Alternatively, if it's an extranet you'd 
most likely get a sample of all the Joe-s & George-s clients who're to 
be the potential users.

Maybe design by committee is suppose to suck, but it's a lot more 
fulfilling, if not necessary, for many quarters when all input is 
received and layed out on the table. Just like before you become a 
surgeon you have to do your residency before you choose your 
specialization - it sucks, but it's just plain necessary. The 
satisfaction really comes after.  And for an IA (or AI or PI or IP or 
IUD, DUI, or whatever the heck people like to call themselves these 
days) to be taken seriously there's a need for them to be adept at 
coming from both ends of the field. So, I don't know about this  "Hey, 
I'll hack, and you just shut up and sit in that corner and fiddle around 
with QXpress, OK?"  philosophy.

You know, I prefer to call this a "programmer and designer" discussion 
as the the word programmer makes a better distinction for discussions 
sake, IMO. I am a hybrid... and therefore am a developer (i.e. I develop 
systems, i.e. hack/code, script, patch, bitch about low pay, and then 
develop usable design that's aesthetically presentable & cost effective, 
and dream of pink sheep jumping over fuscia fences).

But hey, some call it potato, I call it potata.

p.s.: Sorry if I've repeated some thoughts that others have put forth. 
I'm actually hospitalized (have been here for a while), so it takes me 
some time to reply and  I tend to miss some posts as I'm sieving through 
messages.

Best,
Christopher Gomez
I hate the meal trays they give me, here.

- Advocating the use of a more usable meal tray.