Jonathan Cole | Comments

If the chemotherapy example is a bit heavy, my washing machine provides a more everyday example. It beeps repeatedly when a cycle finishes while I'm sat comfortably watching TV. I always find myself wondering whether anyone considered the user's perspective and asked, "Does this really need to be this annoying?" It does its job, but perhaps not with much empathy for the person experiencing it.

I used AI to tidy up my thoughts, hope that's ok. I found it both useful and interesting. My initial thought was, "This is great, if only we were always given the time and space to think this way." In many organisations there's pressure to get something out quickly because "that will do" or "we can improve it later". I appreciated the practical suggestions. They recognise reality and give people a way to start changing mindsets. The chapter made me think beyond software. When my dad was having chemo, the drip machine emitted a harsh alarm that wasn't always urgent. I remember wondering who tested that experience, getting into the shoes of the users is so important. One observation: Terms like "3 amigos", "backlog refinement", "sprints" and "pull requests" may not be familiar to everyone. Some testers work on desktop apps and the like. A brief explanation might help. In a way, that's applying the Inclusive Mindset to the readers too right. Overall, it made me want to read more.