Development Process

There are many important factors to take into consideration when developing a solution for a problem. Two of the major ones that I concentrate on in every project are the usability of the product and the ability to expand upon the developed solution to accommodate future requirements. Both of these themes are evident throughout the work that I do and hints of each can be seen in the case studies, even though the case studies are brief synopses of projects that may have taken several months or years and can in no way come close to giving the full experience of the solution.

No solution is any good if the people who are using it are unable to accomplish what they need to. Sometimes the solution is so complex that users are unaware how to use it or find it too cumbersome. Other times the functionality that the users need was never built in because no one ever asked them what it was that they needed to do, especially if the requirements are specified by someone else. Often times upon seeing what can be done users have more ideas about additional things that they'd like to be able to do. Therefore it is important to treat the requirements of any project as fluid and ever-changing and involve the actual users in helping to determine what the requirements are.

The easiest things to do are things that have already been done. Likewise, the easiest things to use are things that already exist. A solution is much more valuable if it is able to be reused multiple times for multiple purposes because it greatly reduces the amount of development effort and time necessary. Since requirements are often fluid and changing based on what the users need anyway developing a solution that is easy to expand upon is doubly important - not just for the current project, but for any project in the future that may be an offshoot.

Non-Traditional Problem Solving Methods

Often the worst way to beat an adversary is to follow a completely formulaic pattern that could cause your decisions to be easily predicted. If your adversary knows what you're likely to do it's much easier to conquer you and lead you into situations that you'd rather not be in.

While straight logic and reason are certainly very helpful tools in most circumstances often the sole reliance on logic and reason can lead to a solution that is sub optimized overall as the whole of the solution is greater than the sum of its parts. Therefore I tend to employ counterintuitive thought and busting requirements as part of the problem-solving process.

Counterintuitive ideas are those which don't seem like they would logically work at first glance. However, by not confining yourself to that which is expected to work often new possibilities are opened up as different avenues are explored. If you knew exactly what was going to work to begin with there would be no problem to solve anyway.

Requirements often get in the way of actually solving a problem. For each requirement or stipulation, ask yourself if there is an underlying reason that the requirement exists, such as the assumption that it would be cheaper or easier to purchase one part instead of two. An example might be that your project requires that all parts run on 12 volts because it's cheaper to buy one power supply than two. However, by busting through this requirement you might see that you can buy a computer power supply that provides you with 3.3 and 5 volts in addition to 12 volts for a reasonable price, thus meeting the intention of the original requirement while allowing you additional flexibility.

I'm sure this is not what the manufacturer of the orangutan originally intended

Business Specialties

Figuring out what your customers want

Will your customers be rushing out to buy your latest product, or will it be a flop? Do you really know what your customers want? Are you trying to deliver something they don't really care about but missing the things that they aren't able to tell you that they need?

There are countless stories about potentially great products that were introduced to the market but failed for reasons that could have been uncovered beforehand. By spending some time on the front end to investigate, the probability of success for your project will be much higher. Proven product development tools can make sure that you're putting your efforts in the right place and that your end result is going to be something that your customers enjoy.

Business Strategy and Value Capture

Fighting a war without a good strategy is a surefire way to ensure that your competitors exploit your weaknesses and win instead of you. Trying to innovate without a strategy to protect your innovation doesn't make much sense either.

Through careful analysis and planning strategies can be crafted to make sure that you profit from your innovation instead of copycats or your competitors. There are many great ideas out there, but there are things you can do to ensure that you're the one who profits from your hard work instead of somebody else.

Innovation Management

Which project should I fund next? Is it better to go after something with a high risk and high reward, or to concentrate on projects where the outcome is not so uncertain? How can I get the most value out of the innovative projects that I'm currently working on? What's the best way to prepare my company for the future? How can I make my company more innovative?

These are all very important questions. The wrong choices could send your company into a death spiral, while the right ones will open up a whole field of profitable possibilities that will give you a leg up over the competition.

Disruptive Innovation

Are you trying to introduce a new product into the market to compete with something that's already well established? How can you make sure that it will be competitive against the current entrenched products? Or are you concerned that someone may be able to undercut a product that you are offering? Don't allow your competitors to blindside you without doing something to protect yourself!

Business Process Research and Evaluation

Are you curious why things are happening the way they are in your company or why it takes so long to get something done? Why don't things happen the way you expect them to? Would instituting a new policy really benefit your organization? By researching issues such as these, recommendations can be made which will help your company.

Technical Specialties

Mechanical and Electromechanical Design and Development

Do you have a mechanical engineering problem that needs to be solved? Perhaps a small or large device that you need help designing? Costs that need to be cut? Or functionality that needs to be enhanced? Make sure you take advantage of the best help available!

Software Development

Do you have a repetitive or time-consuming data processing task that you'd rather have automated? Is there an analysis that you would like to have performed every day? Having a computer program developed to handle your problems can save you lots of time and headaches as your tasks can be done automatically and the potential for errors can be reduced or even eliminated.

Database Development

Are you doing something in Excel that's just getting a little bit too complicated? An Access Database could be exactly what you need. Proven and time-tested development techniques ensure that even people who have never used Access before can jump right in to a properly designed database with very little training and begin experiencing the benefits of automation. The use of a properly-designed database also allows multiple users to access the data simultaneously for added benefits.

Human Factors

Do you have a process that people are having a tough time figuring out or working with? Are they making too many errors? Is the process uncomfortable? Do you hate programs that have a terrible user interface? By taking a Human Factors approach to redesigning things, the tasks can be made much easier for the humans involved.

Ethnography

How are people using a product or service? Is this actually the way you think that they're using it? By studying how people interact with devices around them, you can gain insight that will enable your next generation of products to meet the needs of your customers even better.

Green Design

Are sustainability and environmentally-friendly design important to your company or your customers? Make sure that your company is doing everything it can to take advantage of the benefits of environmental friendliness!

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Brian Feldman - 2/22/2010

Cell: 484-695-5651