10+ Years... A Few Thoughts

• I have managed teams as large as 15 but I think it is important to try and design something every day.

• I draw, prototype and sketch as much as I can. Lately, I’ve been using XD, Balsamiq and Figma, but, there’s something to be said about Power Point as a quick and dirty design tool. I also really love tracing paper and colored pencils.

• I love to watch people use technology, it is by far my favorite part of the job. I prefer contextual inquiry over a lab.

• Design by committee gets you a camel when you asked for a horse. Multi-discipline collaboration is important to gather requirements but design should be done by designers.

• “Don’t fix problems we don’t have” is an important mantra. I say it often. Related, if you find yourself in a use case discussion along the lines of “have you considered what the system will do if the user is suddenly eaten by a cheetah?” it’s time to go outside and get coffee.

• In the times I’ve managed staff, my one rule is I’d never ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself. If someone is stuck working late, I’ll hang around and help. If I can’t help, I can at least expense pizza.

• I feel a manager’s success is directly tied to the performance of his staff. I strive to make sure my people have what they need to succeed. Do good things for them.

• I believe 90% of work problems can be solved by communication. Not by getting 50 people in a room, but by getting the two or three people that matter in a room.

• There’s no glory in building the wrong thing on time.

• “If you can’t fix it, feature it,” is some of the best professional advice I’ve ever received.