Subvert from within
http://headrush.typepad.com/creatingpassionateusers/2005/09/subvertfromwi.html
- Language matters. Frame everything in terms of the user’s experience.
- Be annoyingly persistent.
- Capture user stories.
- Speak for real users… not fake abstract “profiles”.
- Be afraid of Six Sigma. Be very afraid. Ditto for most other “quality programs”.
- Never underestimate the power of paper.
- Get your hands on a video camera, and record some users.
- Start a subversive club. Right there on campus, recruit and organize your fellow ULA guerillas.
- Put pictures of real users on your walls. Act like they’re as important to you as pictures of family members and pets.
- When product features are discussed without taking into account how it helps (or hinders) the user kicking ass, adopt a slightly confused, mildly annoyed look…
- Blog about it.
- Challenge user-unfriendly assumptions every day.
- Gather facts. Build a rational, logical case that maps a user-centric approach to real business issues.
- Look for first-person language from users about their own experience. Challenge others to solicit first-person, user-as-subject language.
- Don’t give up.