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what_should_i_do_if_different_users_have_different_mental_models

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what_should_i_do_if_different_users_have_different_mental_models [2014/02/10 05:18]
mbrowne
what_should_i_do_if_different_users_have_different_mental_models [2014/02/10 05:21] (current)
mbrowne
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 As mentioned in the above quote, the emphasis is placed first and foremost on the end users because they are the ones who will be using the system, and one of the primary foundations of DCI is that software should be intuitive to use, i.e. it should feel like an extension of the user's mind. It is important to keep this emphasis in mind, because the consequences of putting the programmer'​s mental model first can be quite unfortunate for both the end user, and ultimately the programmer as well. As mentioned in the above quote, the emphasis is placed first and foremost on the end users because they are the ones who will be using the system, and one of the primary foundations of DCI is that software should be intuitive to use, i.e. it should feel like an extension of the user's mind. It is important to keep this emphasis in mind, because the consequences of putting the programmer'​s mental model first can be quite unfortunate for both the end user, and ultimately the programmer as well.
  
-However, it's also important to ensure that the mental model on which the DCI code is based reflects salient aspects of the mental models of all the stakeholders. For example, in the Money Transfer example, the Account context includes the perspective of both the account holder (the end user) and the accountant (one of the stakeholders),​ since the Account context is implemented as a cache over a collection of Ledger entries. This mental model also makes sense to the programmer thanks to the fact that it integrates both perspectives. This is a good example of the goal to strive for; a mental model that is intelligible to everyone: the end users, other stakeholders,​ and the programmers. The goal is not to include every bit of variation in the mental models of all of these people, but rather to reflect a gestalt ​or collective mental model that makes the system work optimally for everyone involved.+However, it's also important to ensure that the mental model on which the DCI code is based reflects salient aspects of the mental models of all the stakeholders. For example, in the Money Transfer example, the Account context includes the perspective of both the account holder (the end user) and the accountant (one of the stakeholders),​ since the Account context is implemented as a cache over a collection of Ledger entries. This mental model also makes sense to the programmer thanks to the fact that it integrates both perspectives. This is a good example of the goal to strive for; a mental model that is intelligible to everyone: the end users, other stakeholders,​ and the programmers. The goal is not to include every bit of variation in the mental models of all of these people, but rather to reflect a gestalt ​collective mental model that makes the system work optimally for everyone involved.
what_should_i_do_if_different_users_have_different_mental_models.1392009534.txt.gz ยท Last modified: 2014/02/10 05:18 by mbrowne