A Great Way to Think Through the Development of a New Project

Article Link: http://www.exchangepress.com/article/a-great-way-to-think-through-the-development-of-a-new-project/5021940/

A Design Methodology

You’re busily coordinating a playground construction project when �" gulp! �" you suddenly realize you’ve neglected a key player and left the contractor dad out of the picture. Or maybe you incorporated all your favorite features, only to discover that you blew past your budget somewhere north of the imported turf. Or Melinda thinks the climbing structure is most important, while Joan wants a trike path instead, and you have no idea how to resolve the dispute.

We’ve all known these Gulp! Moments �" when the project you most want to ­succeed suddenly shows deep flaws. How did we get here? Why didn’t we see it coming? Is there a way to avoid such failure? This article presents a proven methodology, a way to integrate all the bewildering aspects of a design project. Whether you’re designing a playground, a marketing flyer, or a product, there is a way to approach design that accommodates the big ­picture and makes the most of every opportunity. Other methodologies exist, and you will have to adjust to your own situation and culture, but ­certain principles hold true across ­applications.

Teamwork

Design is more a human activity than a technical one. Good teamwork is one of your ...