Re:Disrespectful Design – Users aren’t stupid or lazy
by dspillett on Sunday September 13, 2020 @02:18PM
(#24462799)
> realise that they are not stupid, just busy and distracted.
Though from a practical PoV those two states are often hard to distinguish. Very similar hand-holding is required in each case.
> Users have tasks to concentrate on. They don't have the attention left over to deal with your app's crappy UI.
This is very true. We provide accountability/competence/compliance management software for regulated industries (mainly savings and investment banking ATM) and for most of our users touching our software is a secondary task linked to their main roles. Even the day-to-day admins and UAT testers for new releases, are seconded from other areas or worse effectively being asked to use our software on top of their usual roles (an extra task given with no extra time assigned or other tasks paused).
Though from a practical PoV those two states are often hard to distinguish. Very similar hand-holding is required in each case.
> Users have tasks to concentrate on. They don't have the attention left over to deal with your app's crappy UI.
This is very true. We provide accountability/competence/compliance management software for regulated industries (mainly savings and investment banking ATM) and for most of our users touching our software is a secondary task linked to their main roles. Even the day-to-day admins and UAT testers for new releases, are seconded from other areas or worse effectively being asked to use our software on top of their usual roles (an extra task given with no extra time assigned or other tasks paused).