tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post8734621431008434093..comments2023-10-24T04:21:13.322-07:00Comments on Innovative Business: 3 Ways that Technology FailsJennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-48512296685489464332008-06-21T11:11:00.000-07:002008-06-21T11:11:00.000-07:00You are so right! Software, especially, is such a...You are so right! Software, especially, is such a reflection of the personality and workstyles of the architects, developers, and designers, it is hard to try to do thing different with that tool (to a hammer everything has to be a nail). The white board exercise you described is the right way to go, as long as the team retains a little flexibility (often getting creative or visionary with what the "to be" state could be).<BR/><BR/>This is why the large enterprise software packages (SAP, Oracle, etc) have sparked a whole industry of consultants who can customize the tools to the business workflow of the customers. I have participated in this ERP consultant work and they start by documenting the current workflow (what tools are used, by whom, what works, what doesn't), then they white board a "to be" state, with those two in hand they can identify gaps, recommend a tool, etc. Sounds like this is what you are doing.<BR/><BR/>That said, I have come to believe that every business or organization thinks they are more unique than they are. Unless you are really breaking new ground and inventing something (which might very well be the case in your situation), most problems have been solved before by other groups with similar needs. Tweaking something that already exists is often more possible than people realize at the beginning. If you need something that no one else has done before, you might be onto a new market and others might be interested in licensing your final solution for their needs!Jennifer B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-23237104411666169082008-06-21T00:29:00.000-07:002008-06-21T00:29:00.000-07:00This topic is hot again for me today - from a tota...This topic is hot again for me today - from a totally different angle. I'm trying to get a handle on photo and video asset workflows. There's many, many variables and people are resistant to changes. It's hard to get people to see the bigger picture (i.e. adding their value to the larger group).<BR/><BR/>I like thinking through the whole workflow/process/user scenario on a whiteboard, with a group giving input. Then, go find the tools/code that fits that workflow. Many apps/foundations want you to do things their way.Allan W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04757211592520536558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-60179901044430543252008-06-17T23:39:00.000-07:002008-06-17T23:39:00.000-07:00Ah, totally top-of-mind today. Lots of "web strate...Ah, totally top-of-mind today. Lots of "web strategy" meetings of late. Gotta remember to connect it to ROI and the people using the web sites. Good post.Allan W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04757211592520536558noreply@blogger.com