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Discussion on: The Arrogance of Building A Perfect Product

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Edwin Klesman

Hey @scottshipp ,

That's an awesome addendum to my article πŸ™ŒπŸ». And I have to say, I don't disagree with you and Apple as an example.

It all depends on their definition of "perfection". I think that at Apple, they like to build stuff that they're proud of themselves, and that they want the products to be "perfect" because they want to use those for themselves.

If you set yourself as the user, it is easier to understand what you should aim for. And if you represent someone that is right in the middle of a target group, that will work out.

It all depends on knowing and/or finding out if you represent a large enough group to build for and use yourself as a reference.

I think Apple has a lot of user- and usability testing going on within their walls (one round wall??) that we don't see and hear about that much. And that there is a long road of talking about all possible needs, wants and scenario's before they get their products out there.

Anyway, the point I am trying to make in the article is this:

Often trying to build something perfect for your users without engaging with the users from your intended market is a way of "being arrogant" and thinking you know what they want instead of getting proof of that.
Or it is used as an excuse to constrain budgets and "save money" whereas it will cost more money in the end to fix a product or to target another market because your product doesn't fit the intended market.

Thanks again for your comment. Love the book reference, I'll check it out for sure! πŸ‘ŒπŸ»