Where's the reality? was, Re: [Sigia-l] Off Topic Posts

[Brian Ghidinelli]

> 37signals' much bally-hooed "Getting Real" book ('the smarter, faster,
> and easier way to build a successful web app') specifically recommends
> on page 88 to *never hire an information architect*:

I really like 37signals' work.  They are incredibly talented and it 
shows in their projects and products.  I have a backpack account and 
have used Basecamp on consulting projects with success.

I don't, however, agree with their "Getting Real" philosophy.  The 
37signals office is a parallel dimension to the world that most of us 
operate in.  Assembling a small, crack team of superstars who are 
passionately dedicated to the products they are building has allowed 
them to throw conventional business wisdom and operating practices out 
the window.

They absolutely deserve credit for being able to align their stars and 
succeed in this way (assuming they are, actually, succeeding).

The real reality, the one where you and I are "keeping it real", 
requires us to collaborate and negotiate with people of differing skill 
levels, less passion and competing interests.  In a perfect world, a 
37signals world, we would zap them with our death ray and replace them 
with someone better.  Unlikely to happen soon.  In the really real 
world, Information Architects and other IxD/IA-ish people play a 
critical role in keeping projects on track and the user experience positive.

I'd argue that their extreme viewpoint still benefits the masses by 
encouraging people to buck bureaucracy and focus on results but the 
1750+ copies sold[1] certainly outnumbers the working situations where 
their philosophy is applicable.

Not a hater,


Brian

[1] 
http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/getting_real_book_update_new_version_sales_feedback_contributors_etc.php