Comments on: Iterative Development – Monu http://designandresearch.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/iterative-development-monu/ The integration of creative and analytic worlds. Wed, 06 May 2009 13:56:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Bill http://designandresearch.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/iterative-development-monu/#comment-223 Bill Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:14:20 +0000 http://designandresearch.wordpress.com/?p=142#comment-223 I’ve heard good things about devshed before, but never visited their site. They describe the content so abstractly that it could apply to almost any website. Defining your problem in its most generic terms seems a useful idea: it lets you see the forest, not the trees. It also might help reduce the "dated language" issues you mention. [I guess that’s part of their approach to their own web pages: I click on a link, and see the same table of contents, sidebars, etc. I don’t see the text I clicked for until I scroll down. We discussed how people browse websites – skimming, not reading (“Don’t Make Me Read”). But this seems a bit too much for my old fashioned habits. When I click a link, I expect to see it immediately, front and center. 'Don't make me read... or scroll'. But maybe I'm being too picky.] As I read through their design article, I found it interesting that they accomplish with overlapping dynamic data tags what could be more efficiently accomplished with a searchable database. They’re trading browser download speed for server load. I’m not sure everyone has a fast internet connection, but it’s probably not a significant difference either way. The functionality is significant: let the user control the display of data as they want it. This means you must anticipate different user needs, and build them into your design. It also suggests to me that database design, and the mentality it requires, will be helpful for an increasing number of web design and development projects. This user-controlled data display built into web pages seems much more doable given the prevalence of CSS. It seems like Web 2.0 mentality is spreading into “traditional” websites, as well. However it’s done, designing to allow more user control of data is a good trend. I’ve bookmarked this site, so I can revisit after the coursework is done. Thanks. I’ve heard good things about devshed before, but never visited their site. They describe the content so abstractly that it could apply to almost any website. Defining your problem in its most generic terms seems a useful idea: it lets you see the forest, not the trees. It also might help reduce the “dated language” issues you mention.

[I guess that’s part of their approach to their own web pages: I click on a link, and see the same table of contents, sidebars, etc. I don’t see the text I clicked for until I scroll down.
We discussed how people browse websites – skimming, not reading (“Don’t Make Me Read”). But this seems a bit too much for my old fashioned habits. When I click a link, I expect to see it immediately, front and center. 'Don't make me read... or scroll'. But maybe I'm being too picky.]

As I read through their design article, I found it interesting that they accomplish with overlapping dynamic data tags what could be more efficiently accomplished with a searchable database. They’re trading browser download speed for server load. I’m not sure everyone has a fast internet connection, but it’s probably not a significant difference either way. The functionality is significant: let the user control the display of data as they want it. This means you must anticipate different user needs, and build them into your design. It also suggests to me that database design, and the mentality it requires, will be helpful for an increasing number of web design and development projects.

This user-controlled data display built into web pages seems much more doable given the prevalence of CSS. It seems like Web 2.0 mentality is spreading into “traditional” websites, as well. However it’s done, designing to allow more user control of data is a good trend. I’ve bookmarked this site, so I can revisit after the coursework is done. Thanks.

]]> By: Matt Schroeder http://designandresearch.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/iterative-development-monu/#comment-217 Matt Schroeder Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:01:38 +0000 http://designandresearch.wordpress.com/?p=142#comment-217 You make very good points, Monu. An additional benefit that I’ve found through iterative design/development is that not only do we as designers/developers gather valuable information that helps us create a quality product, the client is better kept in the loop with regards to the development of their product. Ultimately, we’re always creating something for a client, and I think it’s easy for design teams to forget that the client has as much invested in the product as we do. Providing a client with iterative reviews of the content being developed helps alleviate concerns that their desires aren’t being included. An iterative process helps establish a communication structure wherein the client is consistently included in the development process, and is able to provide his or her feedback throughout the process. Not only do we receive more accurate feedback, but they feel that they are being included in the process, which is invaluable over the course of a training development. I’ve found the best success when I’m able to involve the client as part of the team, and iterative development really helps establish that relationship. You make very good points, Monu. An additional benefit that I’ve found through iterative design/development is that not only do we as designers/developers gather valuable information that helps us create a quality product, the client is better kept in the loop with regards to the development of their product.

Ultimately, we’re always creating something for a client, and I think it’s easy for design teams to forget that the client has as much invested in the product as we do. Providing a client with iterative reviews of the content being developed helps alleviate concerns that their desires aren’t being included.

An iterative process helps establish a communication structure wherein the client is consistently included in the development process, and is able to provide his or her feedback throughout the process. Not only do we receive more accurate feedback, but they feel that they are being included in the process, which is invaluable over the course of a training development. I’ve found the best success when I’m able to involve the client as part of the team, and iterative development really helps establish that relationship.

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