The methods of user-centric design approaches have increasingly permeated the consciousness of software development teams in many sectors. By no means universal, but the general idea that you start by understanding the needs of the user before you start to build things to meet those needs has increasingly been adopted as good practice. But what … Continue reading User-centred technology teams
The second of my coffee companions today helps organisations become more (little 'a') agile. We talked about: how the Elizabeth Line's changing of my mental model of London resulted in me being quite early the way in which new technologies often get introduced in remarkably sub-optimal ways and how it takes time for the world … Continue reading 61st of 100
Today's first coffee companion works in the world of developing people's talents. We talked about: The way in which the Elizabeth Line disrupts our mental models of London. Taking big ideas to the board of a company and getting their approval. The long shakeout ahead for how organisations will expect people to work The need … Continue reading 60th of 100
Today's coffee companion is a former colleague from my days at the BBC. We talked about: how my current job is going how the PlayCards are going how different environments aid memory of conversations North Kensington and the North Pole Pub the remaining reasons why people might be digital refuseniks how to encourage people to … Continue reading 59th of 100
Today's coffee companion is a technologist who works in government. We talked about Why multitasking in humans is a myth, and how single tasking increases your productivity The tendency for any generation to use the prevailing technology of the time as a metaphor for how humans work How still most computers don't actually multi-task, they … Continue reading 58th of 100
The furore around the workplace style of the former Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary is both fascinating and scary. Politically it seems terrifying to me that the party of the establishment, in power for 13 years, might use this episode as an excuse to try to politicise Civil Service roles because of a vaguely-defined … Continue reading Making the hard decisions
Some background hints and tips for anyone working with me. Feedback and observations on the content are most welcomed because I don't know what I don't know! Conditions I like to work in For individual working (writing, jockeying spreadsheets, preparing presentations) I’m happiest in my home office. I find this sort of work hard in … Continue reading My User Manual
Today's coffee companion is an HR consultant. We talked about: The emerging crisis in veterinary care Introducing hierarchy-less structures into professional settings How the exercise of reducing everything to one of three colours sounds like an incredible piece of conceptual art. Yet that's RAG reporting... The importance of cake and exercise The opportunities when technical … Continue reading 57th of 100
This week I have learned: of the death of Pat Fish, who was The Jazz Butcher. They were a band that I loved in my teens. Every time I wait for a bus at Waterloo Station I'm reminded of the album Fischoteque. One of their songs popped up on Spotify a few days ago, and … Continue reading Weeknote 629: Fish
This week I have learned: in one of my #100Coffees conversations a few weeks ago, we talked about my companion's theory that the 70-odd days in the UK between New Year's Day and Easter are the only time any work ever really gets done. The days are short, people are feeling the effects of over-indulgence … Continue reading Weeknote 628 – short measures
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