Reflecting on the Evolution of Product Design and Usability

In the mid-90s, Alan Cooper’s About Face introduced a compelling narrative on product design, one that placed the end-user experience at the heart of software development. For me, that book was pivotal, galvanizing my early views on how products should bridge the gap between technology and human experience. As someone fortunate enough to lead within … Read more

Tom Peters: 20 Years Later – A Visionary Still Leading the Charge

June 2015 marks 20 years since I had the privilege of meeting Tom Peters in London, during his visit to the pioneering Usability Group at Reuters. A select few of us invited to attend his conference, which brought the book to life. At the time, our virtual Reuters team was at the forefront of transforming … Read more

Leading with Integrity: Balancing Ethics and Profit in Agile Environments

In the fast-paced world of Agile and agility, leaders often face the challenge of balancing ethical considerations with the drive for profit and performance. As we navigate this complex landscape, it’s crucial to remember that running a responsible business goes beyond financial success—it encompasses a strong ethical framework, sustainable practices, and a commitment to stakeholder … Read more

Agile and Predictability

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a hybrid of Crystal Clear, DSDM, XP, and Scrum; the most common Agile methodologies, but seeking to improve things for non-software teams. I sat on the train earlier, commuting to the office, looking out of the window into the dark (yes again), and began to ponder. Curiosity got … Read more

Just Enough

My recent post on Crystal Clear caused a bit of a stir. One of the common threads was around “Just Enough”. In 1996, the product team I led at Reuters transitioned over to DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) from RAD (Rapid Application Development). And the 20-years have flown by since. DSDM advocates “just enough” across … Read more

Unlocking Change with Systems Thinking

When it comes to enacting sustainable change, systems thinking is a powerful yet often underutilized tool. (I’ve successfully employed it in a recent role, where I took on an unfamiliar challenge, the transformation of a social care service. Introduced it in order to alleviate six years of change fatigue and bias). Instead of focusing on … Read more