Managing opinions.
THE PROBLEM
Everyone has an opinion about design, and most are about taste.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH EARLY
The problem being solved Who the users are How success will be judged
WHY
It moves discussion from preference to evidence.
WHAT TO ASK WHEN GIVEN A DESIGN OPINION
What problem does that solve? For which user?
WHAT TO DO WITH TASTE PREFERENCES
Acknowledge, and decide against the agreed criteria.
WHAT TO PRESENT
The reasoning, not only the result.
WHY
A design presented without reasoning is judged on appearance.
WHAT TO SHOW
What you tried and rejected, and why.
WHAT TO AVOID
Designing by committee Accepting every change Defending a decision you cannot justify
THAT LAST POINT
If you cannot explain why, reconsider it.
WHAT TO AGREE
Who decides, when opinions conflict.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
Decisions and their reasons.
