Re: Should users have a say in the software development Re: Shouldusers have a say in the software development

Walden,

If you're going to use a Doctor analogy, I think we're closer to a
plastic surgeon rather than a GP.

The patient (user) asks for an improvement to his nose, or her bosom. 
The doctor (us) presents the patient with several options, pictures in
a book, CGI to see what his/her face/breasts might look like.  We tell
them the ramifications of the different choices so that they may make
a better informed decision, and then the user chooses what fancies
them.

the actually surgery (coding) is done by the doctor, but the patient
will be the arbiter of the final product.  They may be happy, or they
may return for more changes.  or they may change doctors.

It's only when that goes overboard (think Michael Jackson) that it
becomes a serious problem.

;)

Rick

On 3/20/06, Walden H. Leverich <WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >Of course, if it weren't for "those darned users" "needs" our jobs
> would
> >not be needed, either   :-)
>
> Don't confuse a user's needs with the user's ability/right to be
> involved in the design and construction of a solution to those needs.
>
> If not for sick patients doctors would be out of a job, but we go to a
> doctor and say "I fell out of a tree and my arm hurts." He determines
> that it is broken, what the right way to fix it is (cast, sling,
> surgery) and he implements the solution. We don't go to the doctor and
> say "I fell out of a tree, I need you to put on a 1/2 length fiberglass
> cast with pins supporting the bilateral bone plate and I need 250mg of
> Vicoden for pain."
>
> He's the professional, we let him do his job. Somewhere along the line
> users have forgotten (we've allowed them to forget) that we actually get
> paid because we know what we're talking about. We're the professional,
> let us do our job.
>
> -Walden
>
> ------------
> Walden H Leverich III
> Tech Software
> (516) 627-3800 x3051
> WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.TechSoftInc.com
>
> Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur.
> (Whatever is said in Latin seems profound.)
>
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