The User-Centric Design Trap
ClickZ — “If simply creating the ultimate Web site experience is your goal, a UCD design process is certainly wise. If your goal is to create a profitable Web site that’s optimized to meet key performance indicator goals, then the UCD process, though well intentioned, falls short.”
p.s. The arguments in this article are similar to Profits First, Users Second.
September 21st, 2004 at 11:08 am
UCD isn’t flawed. Rather, it was never intended to solve the complex motivational differences a person has when using a product, as opposed to voluntarily visiting a Web site. When was the last time you were on a Web site because you had to be?
Um, it’s called an intranet. I use it to get work done in which the people who pay me are interested.
I realize that the author states: Software and pens are designed for consumers. They need these products, so UCD principles are warranted. Intranets, sites such as IRS.gov, even search engines function as tools, not persuasive systems. They benefit from UCD.
However, these “voluntary” systems he writes about are tools. Tools that support the goals of the user. “I want to buy X.” If your goal is to create a profitable Web site that’s optimized to meet key performance indicator goals, then the UCD process, though well intentioned, falls short. Attitudes like this continue to drive me crazy.
UCD is itself a tool. Only to be used when needed. And almost always to be used in conjunction (or better yet, integrated) with other methodologies. UCD doesn’t fall short in his example; it falls short in providing an holistic solution if used exclusively.
After linking to some of the articles referenced in the above article, my guess is that the author doesn’t believe that UCD ever falls short. I think this is just a poorly written premise for promoting an holistic approach to design and development.
September 22nd, 2004 at 12:39 pm
Good points Matthew. “Had to be” is also a bit strong. What about banking sites, insurance company sites, 401K sites, hospital sites, Ticketmaster, and other sites where you aren’t forced to use the site, but you may not have many options?
Also, what the heck is “persuasion architecture”? It sounds like this Clickz article is really just this guy pitching his services…and maybe he’s been losing some sales to UCD lately?
September 22nd, 2004 at 1:00 pm
Strawman arguments + ignorance of ucd + self-promotion = waste of my time.
August 26th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Web Site Promotion Software…
50megs, Byethost, Netfirms) or a directory (www.example.com/~yourname) (e.g. E-mail hosting providers allow for premium e-mail services…