In the first part of this series, I introduced an approach for making selection of interventions a little less arbitrary. In this installation, I’ll refine process funnel a bit to round out and clarify definitions of the output levels.
When using processes like this, I think it’s important to keep in mind:
- There is no magical process or algorithm to make design decisions automatically. Because of all the factors at play, this stuff is work. Doing it right takes rigor and discipline. Anything short of a disciplined approach is rolling the dice.
- Design is a complex business of weighed options and trade-offs. The answers are almost never easy and there is rarely only one answer.
- This process of refinement isn’t linear. It IS iterative and involves making and validating assumptions.
- Design is a process of illumination. You can’t solve a problem that you can’t see.
That said, models and tools for thinking through problems can be really helpful to shake things loose and help you to show your work.
Robots Need Work 