Index
Build things that matter.
At the heart of building things that matter is the desire to solve real problems and make a meaningful impact on the world. With today's technology, it's easier than ever to create things, but how much makes a real difference in people's lives? That's why I follow these principles when I create anything - to ensure that what I build is good for others. As always, take what is useful to you and leave the rest. Let's build things that matter!
Build Enduring Value.
Principle
Build things that are good for everyone now and later.
Frame of Mind
The best designs have enduring value beyond immediate use. How do we build things that continue to provide value well into the future? Could it provide value in more than one instance? How do we ensure that what we make mitigates negative societal costs while creating shared value for others?
When we Don't
We make decisions based on short-sighted and selfish values. We find success for a small number of individuals, with no real sense of the long-term implications of our decisions on society.
Build what is needed.
Principle
Focus on the problem, not the solution.
Frame of Mind
It's easy to get excited about a shiny new solution for a problem people don't truly have. Do we clearly understand the problem we are trying to solve? Do many people acutely feel it? Have we validated our approach to solving the problem early and often?
When we Don't
We build things in a vacuum, believing people need what we have. We launch after countless hours and dollars spent building, only to find out no one wants or needs what we have.
Co-build with a community.
Principle
Represent multiple voices, not just one.
Frame of Mind
Often, when we are building, we are building for others. It's easy to assume we understand what others need or want, but the best design actively includes those we are trying to serve. Do I have the right voices in the room?
When we Don't
We build without considering the essential voices, make assumptions about what is needed, and build things that do not resonate with the community we are trying to serve.
Build it well.
Principle
It does what it's supposed to do, and it does it well.
Frame of Mind
There is no quicker way to lose people than to build something that doesn't do what it is supposed to. It's tempting to build many shiny features quickly, but less is more. It's always better to have fewer, well-functioning features than many that add nothing to the user's life. Is this needed? Is it well built?
When we Don't
We build and build, only to emerge with a duct-taped solution that doesn't solve the problem. Eventually, people figure out that our promise doesn't match our delivery.
Build it beautiful.
Principle
Well designed inside and out.
Frame of Mind
Every detail should be well designed, inside and out - seen and unseen parts. When someone interacts with something we make, they will feel something, from the packaging to the tactical feel to the language we use - what experience will they have? Did we design every detail with intention?
When we Don't
We mistake aesthetics for good design and miss the mark on delivering an exceptional experience making our solution less effective.
Build it measurable.
Principle
Impact should be measured and improved.
Frame of Mind
We need to build things to be measurable to understand the impact we make. It's critical to define success criteria and measuring methods early on to know when we are doing well and when we are not. Otherwise, how do we know if this is working?
When we Don't
We have no clue whether what we built made an impact. Assuming we've solved it, we might move on from the problem exactly when we need to return to the drawing board.