[Ipg-smz] The U.S. Census Bureau pays me $100 for some UI feedback

[Patrick Corrigan]

OK, here's how the software development process works for many, if not
most, Federal agencies: The agency writes the specifications. Those doing
the writing are usually managers and others who don't use the software/web
site. Those who actually have some idea of how the software is actually
used, or actually use the software, are typically not included in this
process. Next, a bid request goes out to the very small number of Federal
contractors that are allowed to bid. These are generally very large
organizations. Next, the software comes back for testing. It will typically
actually meet the specs but be unusable. Since the specs have been met, the
agency then gives the contractor more money to fix the most egregious
issues, making the software more or less usable. The software will remain
in that condition for a number of years until the process starts over again.

That, at least, has been my experience. It's very frustrating being on the
front lines trying to deal with this stuff.

BTW, I have seen similar issues in the private sector as well.


On Wed, Sep 12, 2018 at 12:14 PM, Phil Shapiro <pshapiro at his.com> wrote:

>   This morning the U.S. Census Bureau paid me $100 for some UI feedback.
> The person there told me, "I didn't design the web site, so I want you to
> be very candid in your feedback."
>
>      Me: Okay
>
>       Her: "What is your overall impression of the web site?"
>
>        Me: It totally, totally sucks. Did you folks use Crayola crayons to
> build a mock-up? If this web site were designed by middle school students,
> I'd say it would be a good first attempt.  Do you want me to tell you why?
>
>         Her: Yes.
>
>        So then I patiently and kindly explained about all the gratuitous
> and un-needed elements on the web site.
>
>         Then when I reached the Male/Female radio buttons on one of their
> surveys, I could barely take it any longer.
>
>          "Just curious, did you folks get your web design degrees at
> Patriarchy University?"
>
>            I was fully expecting to read about the 3/5th of a person, but
> apparently the Census Bureau heard about the Emancipation Proclamation.
>
>            I concluded by telling them, "I appreciate your asking me for
> feedback. I'm hopeful that improvements can be made
> before the decennial census. You folks have your work cut out for you."
>
>             They paid me my money and I gleefully ordered a pizza.
>
>                   phil
>
>
> --
> --
> Phil Shapiro, pshapiro at his.com
> http://www.his.com/pshapiro/briefbio.html
> http://www.twitter.com/philshapiro
> http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html
>
> "Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
> "Learning happens thru gentleness."
> "We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from
> real options."  David Suzuki
>
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-- 

Patrick Corrigan
Email: phcorrigan at gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-h-corrigan-61669422
Member, Internet Press Guild http://www.netpress.org

"For every difficult and complex question there is an answer that is
simple, easily understood and wrong."
      H.L. Mencken
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