This week in the pm-clinic discussion forum- The boss who won’t listen:

Months ago I informed my boss of my concerns for a project he was managing. He didn’t seem to be aware of the issues, so I mentioned them in our mutual best interest. He told me, polite but firm, he didn’t want me to inform him of such things: it’s not my place and he didn’t want to me to be so unsupportive of his efforts.

Last week I discovered some bigger issues in another one of his projects. These problems (missed requirements, secretly slipped schedule) will impact my team and others if they’re not nipped in the bud.

Do I raise the issues anyway and hope he’s not angry? Do I suck it up? Or should I find a quiet/secret way to inform his team of these issues?

- The boss who won’t listen

Posted in PM-Clinic | 3 Comments »

This week in the ux-clinic discussion forum- Novices vs. experts:

What’s the best way to tackle a comprehensive redesign of an application when there is already a large user base familiar with its clumsy UI? How do we provide a better solution for new users without alienating existing users who are now comfortable with the quirks (flaws) of the existing system? and how do you go about convincing management that it’s a worthwhile exercise?

I’ve spent the past few months working on a 5 year old application used by extremely competent technical users. The user base continues to grow and at the same time new functionality and features are “bolted on”, typically through increasingly long lists of tool bar options. We know that new users struggle with the UI but it’s very low on management’s list of priorities.

What can be done?

- Novices vs. experts

Posted in UX-Clinic | No Comments »

In my ever expanding quest to see the world, I’ll be vacationing in India this month, starting next week. We’ll be in Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur over two weeks. I doubt I’ll have net access, so when post frequency drops you’ll know why. Expect a trip report on the other side.

If anyone has India travel advice (the usual what to wear? things to see? places to stay? lay it on me by all means)

Posted in On Tour | 19 Comments »

This week in the ux-clinic discussion forum- How not to blow the big presentation:

After months of careful politicking (and private ranting) about investing heavily in UX and design, I’ve been given a chance to present to our executive team. I will have 30 minutes to both make my case and propose changes to how software and web development are done at my company to a room full of big shots.

Today I woke up and realized I’m totally over my head.

I’ve never presented to an executive before and I have no idea what angle to take, how to advocate change without stepping on their toes, or how much time to spend teaching design vs. arguing for the value of design.

I’m hoping for advice and war stories of big presentations to non design folks - I have a big chance to move things forward but I need some words of wisdom from those who have done this before to pull it off.

- Shaking in my designer boots

Posted in UX-Clinic | 1 Comment »

This week in the pm-clinic discussion forum- Managing our time:

Dear pm-clinic:

I’m a recovering Getting Things Done (GTD) addict. I tried the popular book/method/cult/flagellation by Dave Allen for awhile, but I’m not the kind of person capable of the religious type A behavior much of the system demanded. So I’m in need of something else before my team figures out how disorganized I am.

I’m hoping to learn timeworn tips and personal tactics people on the list have used to stay on top of their own hours and days (rather than their project’s).

How do you organize your own time against multiple projects? What tools (software or otherwise) are your favorites and how do you make use of them? What tricks have you learned over the years that have made a difference? What approaches do you recommend for people who work for you?

- Mr. Embarrassingly disorganized

Posted in PM-Clinic | 1 Comment »

I’ll be speaking at E-tech in San Diego on Data vs. Design: UI design in a Web 2.0 world. I’ve never been to e-tech before, but it’ s largely about new ideas, entrepreneurship and what’s coming next. Should be fun.

Let me know if you’ll be there.

Posted in Design, On Tour, Web 2.0 / social software | No Comments »

I run two discussion mailing lists - one on design and usability (uxclinic) and one on project management (pmclinic).

Question: In the past I’ve posted the weekly situations here on the blog. Sometimes people post comments on ‘em, but often they just sit there taking up space.

I’m thinking now that if you’re into the situations, you’re on the list and don’t need me to annoy you with them here. I did it before to help promote the lists, but they’re off the ground now.

So if you do want these situations posted, speak up now. If I don’t get a few votes for doing it, I’ll stop.

Posted in PM-Clinic, UX-Clinic | 5 Comments »

At a talk yesterday I asked an audience of program managers how many of them had read a vision document. Most of the 100+ in the room raised their hands. I then asked how many had read a document they thought was good: about a dozen kept their hands up.

I’ve asked this question dozens of times and it’s rare to find people who’ve read one they thought was good. Most teams (or start-ups) have some kind of written charter, even if it’s just a beat up e-mail, for what the over-arching goals are supposed to be.

Why are they often so bad?

I have 3 theories:

• They’re often written by committees. Five people get in a room and yield to mediocrity. Unless one talented person asserts him/herself as the lead author (e.g. Thomas Jefferson) the result is jargon happy, wishy washy, impenetrable tripe. You want a clear narrative, not a labyrinthine wishing well.
• They’re not written to serve the reader. What purpose do these things serve? If the people writing it don’t know, odds are slim what the write will be of use to the people asked to read it. If the goal is to catalyze, motivate or clarfy, it should be easy for any vision author to check with readers to see if it’s working. But if they don’t ask, readers might be afraid to tell.
• Author confuses hype with reality. A good vision document connects the future with the present, and gives tools to people to make faster decisions. All the hype and conjecture has a place, but it’s probably in the supporting materials, not in the directives or goals people are being asked to follow.

So why do you think vision documents and their ilk are often so painful reads? Politics? Cowardice? Lack of imagination? Labotomy? what?

Posted in Management, Software/Web development, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

I’m a big believer in mentorship of all kinds - The IMNO, a non-profit group focused on finding mentors for young adults and people in difficult circumstances, just launched a new campaign called: get in their shoes, and I’m participating.

Here’s how it works:

• Famous people, and wanna-bes like myself, volunteer a half hour of mentorship time
• Anyone can bid on auction for that mentorship time. The money goes to the IMNO.

You can donate to a good cause, and talk to people like Bill Walton, Guy Kawasaki, Stan Lee, Craig Newmark and more.

Or if you want a cheap date, go ahead and bid on time with Berkun.

You can also register as a mentor yourself or donate money, time or support to the IMNO.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »