[IxDA Discuss] user centered design -> overlapping circles -> boundary selection

[Doc]

Eugene,

In general I would be looking for ways to loosely couple the system used by
User B to the one you're designing for User A, so that User A is given
access to the information they need to perform their task effectively. I
would define the integration of the two systems as a separate, but
prequisite requirement of the system you're designing, so that it can be
allocated a separate budget if necessary.

I would also start thinking of the totality of information flows, rather
than disparate systems. You can readily demonstrate the need for the
integration of the two systems through the task requirements for your target
user (at least you should be able to demonstrate), but that doesn't mean
User B now needs to become an active user of your new system. Leave them in
their own environment, but ensure the flow of information isn't stopped at
the boundary of User B's existing systems.

Grab a business analyst and have them map out the data fields that you need
shared between systems, and whether the form of that data in its current
state is suitable for your needs. If not suitable, look first and
transforming the structure of the data in some pre-defined, automated way.
If that's not possible, then you need to start looking at the relative
cost/benefit of having User B operate in both systems; or User A not being
able to perform some subset of their required tasks.

If the data/information created by User A is necessary for User B to perform
some aspect of their role, then, again, look at passing that information
back into their current system. If you're creating new tasks for User B to
perform, then a broader approach to the integration may be required, wherein
you are designing modular additions to the system already in use.

I hope that helps

Steve Baty

On 04/10/06, Eugene Chen <eugene at eugenechendesign.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> The question is: on what principles to base the products boundaries?
> Strategically this leads to a question of which systems to compete with
> (subsume) vs. interface. And if to interace, then whether communication
> should be one-way or two-way?




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Steve 'Doc' Baty B.Sc (Maths), M.EC, MBA
Director, User Experience Strategy
Red Square
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