Think Before You Create

It's very easy for people in digital to get excited about new technology on the market. Google Glass (fizzled away already), wearables, bendy TVs, Apple Watch. Technology that is based on what's possible, rather than what's needed. And in software development there's agile, lean, cloud, big data. More and more buzz words that mean nothing.

We often skip the very important question that separates philosophers from technologists.

One word:

Why?

When the answer is "because we can", or a lot of money can be made, or the worst phrase "to change the world", it's clear it's doomed to fail.

People often miss off the rest of that last expression

to change the world   for the better

Without that focus, it's easy to create solutions that aren't going to improve lives. Many futuristic sci-fi films explore this concept. From Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror, to Ex_Machina, and the new series on Channel 4 Humans.

There is a phrase that is often thrown around:

Technology is neither positive or negative - nor neutral, but a multiplier

So before jumping on a bandwagon, or setting out to create something new think the following:

• It's not more software engineers we need. There are plenty out there. They just need guidance. Good Product Owner's can help with this, I will discuss that in the future.
• It's not more strategists we need. They are playing a game and trying to win. We can't all win.
• It's definitely not more middle managers.

It's Applied Imagination.

The best engineers will then know what to create. The strategists and managers will help guide them and keep them on track, but not be those in charge. 

When I first heard that someone I knew was about to study that I thought what an interesting degree, but what purpose would it serve? But it makes more sense than training more and more engineers, scientists, marketers etc. Don't get me wrong, we still need them, but they are not the missing ingredient. 

We need to let out the inner child out. Seeing the world through innocent eyes.

Artists have been important to society for as long as we can remember. When you travel to places where ancient civilisations once lived it's the work of artists that stands the test of time.

So next time, before getting excited about what you can do, about anything, even the most mundane part of your work life. In fact especially the most mundane part.

Ask why?

If you can't come up with a decent answer than try doing something different.

Don't be a conformist.

Carpe diem.

Scott Lawson is the MD & Founder of Trackpal, a software-as-a-service product that helps digital marketing professionals turn data into actionable results.