Scott Bower — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:05:21 GMT

Many engineers would argue that wireframes, models, personas, and user testing do not deliver value to the customer. That in fact, the only value is working code. In fact, that is true for many software products.

In your example-Clean dishes is a requirement. Nathan, perhaps he is a perfectionist, or perhaps he has a very elegant and sophisticated technique, is their voluntarily. He can choose to leave, or, you can kick him out. Or, as you so cleverly described, you allow people to learn and grow in a supportive environment because he has skills that actually may be quite useful that the others dont have. For instance, he has good communication skills with members of the opposite sex. Skills for post-campfire activities?

Us “designers”(and whatever the technical range is) that is different form those that choose to pursue engineering. We often care very deeply about doing it right, and doing it elegantly, and we tend to see the big picture that the engineers never see. That comes into play during decision making. TO many times I see engineers want to take shortcuts at the expense of longer term goals. Ahhhh, but there is the problem right there. How many global multinationals outside of China do you know of that actually, REALLY, think beyond the current Fiscal year? Our entire economy is based on the short term.

I have no point to make. Human beings are complex, our systems are complex.

Thinking and Making: Comments by Scott Bower