Mediocre Driven Development

Nineteen years ago, Microsoft had already mastered the art of designing user interfaces that outshine 90% of the systems we see today. This insight was encapsulated in their concept of the Inductive User Interface (IUI), a design philosophy that remains relevant but sadly underutilized in modern technology. The most common excuse given by companies and tech professionals for not adopting this approach? A lack of time.

This raises an important question:

Are we stuck in a cycle where one issue perpetuates another?

Consider the prevalence of anemic modeling and the pervasive belief that every application can be reduced to a simple CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) system. These approaches often lead to oversimplified designs that fail to meet user needs effectively.

So, what can we do to break this cycle? Techniques like Event Storming can be incredibly beneficial in bringing to light the user journey within a system. By thoroughly understanding this journey, we can start to incorporate task-based actions into the user interface. When user intentions are clearly mapped out, the system is already one step closer to implementing architectures like Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS) and Event Sourcing (when needed).

The Legacy of Inductive User Interface

The Inductive User Interface was a revolutionary concept introduced by Microsoft that focused on guiding users through tasks with clear, step-by-step instructions. Unlike many modern interfaces that overwhelm users with options and features, IUI emphasized simplicity and ease of use. Despite its potential to enhance user experience significantly, IUI has not seen widespread adoption. The primary reason cited is the constant pressure to deliver features quickly, leaving little room for thoughtful design.

The Pitfalls of Anemic Modeling and CRUD Thinking

Anemic modeling and CRUD-based design paradigms have become the default for many software projects. These approaches treat applications as mere databases with user interfaces, neglecting the complexities of real user interactions and business processes. This oversimplification can lead to poor user experiences and systems that are difficult to evolve and maintain.

Event Storming: A Solution to uncover user journeys

Event Storming is a workshop-based technique that helps teams explore complex domains by modeling events that occur within a system. This approach can reveal the true nature of user interactions and business processes, providing a solid foundation for designing more effective user interfaces.

Task-Based UI and Advanced Architectures

Once the user journey is well understood, it becomes possible to design task-based user interfaces. These interfaces focus on helping users complete specific tasks efficiently, rather than navigating through a sea of options. With a clear understanding of user tasks, the system architecture can evolve to incorporate advanced patterns like CQRS and Event Sourcing, which further enhance the system’s ability to handle complex workflows and provide a better user experience.

The key to building better user interfaces lies in breaking free from the constraints of anemic modeling and CRUD-based thinking. By adopting techniques like Event Storming and embracing task-based UI design, we can create systems that truly meet user needs. Microsoft’s Inductive User Interface, though nearly two decades old, offers valuable lessons that are still applicable today. It’s time to move beyond excuses and invest the effort needed to design interfaces that are intuitive, efficient, and user-centric.