How to filter feature requests on your web application

Yesterday I attended the iPhone Tech Talk conference in Chicago. Many items where covered from requirements, usability, design and application development for the iPhone plaform. One part of the presentation that resonated with me was how Apple approaches development of software applications. Below is an excerpt from the presentation:

Good Design at Apple….

“Comes from saying “No” to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much.”

- Steve Jobs

Define Your Solution

What problem will your application solve?

• Create an Application Definition Statement
• Summarize the intended purpose of your application
• Let it guide everything you do
• Filter every aspect of your application through definition statement
  

This is also inline with a chapter in 37signals book “Get Real” titled "What's the Big Idea".

Its an interesting approach i'm looking to incorporate into future projects I work on. Often with web project you can get bogged down in features that are outside of the core objective and vision of the site, using this methodology means you can abandon a lot of traditional distracting features before you burn you time and money.

Good user experience can improve your bottom line

I came across the following presentation when I was browsing on Slideshare and it really resonated with me. I often talk to designers or information architects about improving the usability of a web app by simplying things. For instance use more descriptive form buttons - "submit" is vague, include functionality such as breadcrumbs and site search as people expect them to be there etc. Essentially don't make me think!

One thing I often notice with new site designs is they are tested by power users, we know that the logo links back to the homepage, we know how to use utility nav and how to filter results in a datagrid. However the best test i've ever had is my wife or my mom. To be honest if they can't perform a task or find something on a new site chances are other users will have the same problem. Ultimately a bad experience frustrates users and ensures they will give up on your site and go to the next listing on Google.

I encourage you to view the following presentation by Brian Winter from CareerBuilder on providing a better user experience.

Interview with Jakob Nielsen

I just was over at e-consultancy.com and stumbled across an interview with Jakob Nielsen. Neilsen weighs in on AJAX, Flash, RSS/XML icons and his general feelings on usability as it relates to the web. An interesting read.