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Experts Sketch

December 23, 2020 By brenda michelson

[Originally posted at brendamichelson.com in May 2017. Moved here 12.23.2020.]

I think best with a marker in my hand. Always have. My workspace, and all paths to and from it, are littered with box and line diagrams, doodles, code snippets, and my (at that moment) best idea ever, on any scrap of paper, notebook or whiteboard within reach.

Quirky, my friends think. But, I’m far from alone. Especially in the software field.

In the wonderful Software Design Decoded, 66 Ways Experts Think, an early section is Experts Sketch.

Experts Externalize Their Thoughts [24]

Experts sketch when they think. They sketch when alone. They sketch in meetings with colleagues or clients. They sketch when they have no apparent need to sketch. They sketch on paper, on whiteboards, on napkins, in the air. Experts know that sketching is a way to interact with their own thoughts, an opportunity to externalize, to examine, and advance what they have in their minds.

How do experts sketch? Messily, formally and in between. Pressing notation to their advantage, as a tool rather than constraint. Ever been in a room where the model’s notational correctness overtakes the problem (or solution) correctness? Consider these practices:

Experts Use Notations as Lenses, Rather Than Straightjackets [21]

Experts understand the true value of notations: they serve as lenses to examine a design solution from a particular perspective. Experts are not married to any notation and will use whichever notation best suits the task at hand…

Experts Invent Notations [28]

Experts choose a notation that suits the problem, even if the notation does not exist. New notations arise when, in the heat of design, shorthand symbols are used that take on a meaning of their own…

An insight that, frankly, was a relief to me: re-drawing is a good thing. Not all repetition falls under that insanity definition adage. Results can differ, for the better:

Experts Repeat Activities [44]

…Experts draw a diagram, then draw it again, and perhaps again and again. Experts repeat these activities because they know that, each time they do so, they must re-engage with a fresh mindset and re-explain to themselves or to others. Variations in how they engage, think, draw, and communicate, as well as variations in what they choose to focus on, uncover new issues and opportunities.

Regarding variation:

Experts Change Notation Deliberately [49]

Experts ask themselves what would happen if they remodeled what they have in a different notation, using somewhat different modeling concepts or somewhat different semantics. Differences in expression can prompt them to consider additional issues.

Beyond sketching, Software Design Decoded covers simplification, non-linearity, collaboration, uncertainty, fear and more.

If you are curious how your practices match with, or can be expanded to, expert levels, pick up this book.

And if you work with a manager that doesn’t get your seemingly random, casual, exploratory approach, drop a copy on their desk.

Filed Under: thinking styles

PEW Research: Tech Saturation, Well-Being and (my) Remedies

May 29, 2018 By brenda michelson

[Moved from brendamichelson.com. Original publish date: May 29, 2018]

Back in January, I was asked to participate in PEW Research’s survey on the impact of digital life:

“Over the next decade, how will changes in digital life impact people’s overall well-being physically and mentally?”

The choices: more helped than harmed, more harmed than helped, not much changed.

PEW and partner Elon, published comprehensive results of the survey in April:

“Some 1,150 experts responded in this non-scientific canvassing. Some 47% of these respondents predict that individuals’ well-being will be more helped than harmed by digital life in the next decade, while 32% say people’s well-being will be more harmed than helped. The remaining 21% predict there will not be much change in people’s well-being compared to now.”

I was amongst the optimists, more helped than harmed. Though, I thought about the ills — tech addiction, inequality, algorithmic bias — before answering. For me, the opportunities brought by connection and crucial intelligence outweigh the bad. Plus, we can fix the bad.

As with all PEW/Elon studies, respondents were asked for supporting commentary on their choices. Ten themes emerged:

For detailed responses, many named, some anonymous, see the research report.

Regarding fixing the bad, the survey asked:

“what might be done to diminish any threats to individuals’ well-being that are now emerging due to people’s choices in creating digital systems and living digital lives”

Five themes emerged:

I was pleased to see my response make the report, as it validates my current (and future work): intersecting arts, tech and information to make technology knowledge and participation more accessible.

The first part was rolled into “reimagine systems”. No surprise to anyone who has heard my STEAM pitch:

Brenda M. Michelson, an executive-level technology architect based in North America, commented,

“We need to improve how we build and introduce digital products, services, information and overall pervasiveness. On building, we need to diversify the teams creating our digital future. 1) These future builders must reflect society in terms of race, gender, age, education, economic status and so on. 2) As digital is integrative – technology, data, arts, humanities, society, ethics, economics, science, communication – the teams must be composed of individuals from across professions and backgrounds, including artists, scientists, systems thinkers and social advocates. On introduction, we need – desperately – to build information literacy and critical- thinking skills across the population and improve curation tools without impinging on free speech.”

The second part, deep in the report supplement, was rolled into “redesign media literacy”:

“We need (desperately) to build information literacy and critical-thinking skills across the population and improve curation tools without impinging on free speech. Broad education on information literacy and critical thinking can help people discern the validity of information, view multiple sides/perspectives of an issue and consider the motivations of content creators/providers. There should be a developing/refining of our individual habits. Turning off notifications. Giving ourselves digital breaks with other people, doing outdoor activity and so on. Essentially, regaining our attention. As well, we can choose devices and interfaces that augment our everyday experiences while being a present participant in social/work/family situations.”

The report is a truly interesting read. A variety of perspectives from leading thinkers and innovators in our field. Rounded out with regular folks, like me.

Filed Under: trends

technology knowledge premise

May 31, 2016 By brenda michelson

As technology is everywhere, it’s important for everyone to have a basic understanding of technology matters, in the same way people should understand societal, political and financial matters. To understand how the world works, how we fit in, how to instigate or participate in change, or create what’s next.  — me, 6.19.2015

[lifted from my 100Stickmen Tech musings notebook.]

Filed Under: 100stickmentech

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Brenda M. Michelson

Brenda Michelson

Technology Architect.

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