If Only They Tested It on Themselves

The company I’m on a contract with has moved to a new building in NYC. Actually, it’s an old building, but fully remodeled. Since day one we’ve all noticed weird “bugs” about the new design which could’ve been easily prevented if… the contractors tried to use the building the way employees would.

For example, if you walk up to a door and don’t know which way it opens, the door is not designed properly. Period.

Another example: employee card scanners. A lot of people wear magnetic badges on the left side of the belt (the other side is taken by a cell phone clip). Why put the scanner so far on the right? And what about those wearing badges on their necks? Yeah, picture it for a second.

My favorite one: elevators. It’s almost funny to see half the people reach the panel with no buttons. Why put buttons on only one side?

Oh, and the can. The can has so many funny snafus that create uncomfortable social “situations.”

If only they tested all this on themselves first… Software construction isn’t that much different. Put yourself in the end-user’s shoes and walk. See if the shoes fit.

All those decisions will have been specified by the architects. Architects try to get things right, but sometimes they go horribly wrong - I know of a hospital where the architects specified doors which were too narrow for the patient trolleys/beds to be wheeled through.

Perhaps Christopher Alexander should create a series of design patterns for interior design....

Fantastic!
I really agree with you, some builders just don't bother thinking about the user.

I think it would be commical to see someone swipe their employee card!