This type of approach never ends with elegantly simple software. They don’t need simple, they need complete to do their jobs.”
Keep it simple stupid how to#
It is these people’s jobs to learn how to use our software.
Keep it simple stupid software#
This is our custom enterprise software we are talking about. Often, the argument is: “But my users are smart! These are not normal end users. This attitude is even more prevalent when designing enterprise software for a specific group of users who may be internal users, or for a captive set of users who have no choice but to use the system. Often, there is a feeling in the air that “the system can be simple as long as it does everything all potential users of the system may want to do.” These individuals often start their discussions with the countless needs of the people they are representing. In these software design meetings, stakeholders from various parts of the organization come together to define the requirements and needs for the new system. But My Users Are Smart!īack in the world of software, the process of creating new or improving existing software often begins in design meetings. Simplicity was, and still is one of their fundamental design goals. They knew the key to having a reliable fleet of the largest and most complex aircraft in the world was simplicity. They knew that every aircraft would have to be built, repaired and maintained by people often in challenging conditions.
While creating aircrafts such as the Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird spy planes, the Air Force came to realize that in order to effectively build, repair and maintain these jet aircraft, it was critical that they be built as simply as possible. The KISS acronym was coined by the Lockheed Skunk Works’ lead aircraft engineer, Kelly Johnson in the 1960’s. Simplicity is so key to good usability, that people in software design and development often think that the KISS principle originated with user-focused software design. The KISS principle has been used by many in the field of software design and development. Simplicity makes it easier for long-term users to do the things they need to do.
Simplicity makes it easier for a new user to understand how something works.
It fundamentally states that when designing a product, it is critical to keep everything as simple as possible. Maybe better known as “Keep it Simple, Stupid”, the KISS principle is a cornerstone in good design.