Paul Blake — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:50:56 GMT

Very interesting article Kyle, as is Maureen’s view on using Powerpoint.

I’ve just finished work on a project where I whipped up a basic html version with a sprinkling of css very early in the process. This had a number of advantages for us:

1. The client was having difficulty visualising our IA diagrams – the html version put into context for them (and helped us convince them that some of that flabby text just had to go)
2. We had a low-fi version for user testing, which was easily updated as we tested
3. We could do our thing separate to the Photoshop visuals
4. It acted as a de facto functional spec for the developers and when matched up with the visuals gave them everything they needed to build

The key thing is that it worked for us – it isn’t a universal solution. I’m far better with html/css than I am with, for instance, Powerpoint, and it fell into place with this client and this development team.

If other teams, or clients or whoever prefer PDF, Powerpoint, Visio, Photoshop, or whatever and the resource is there to put them together then great. In my view the bottom line is, as long as it’s being tested in a meaningful way then go for whatever method suits.

Boxes and Arrows: Comments by Paul Blake