The secret of good system design
Designing a new system? The single most important question to ask is what do I not need?
Apple asked how few controls do we really need to operate an mp3 player and the iPod was born. Asus asked what does a user really need to surf the net and the eee pc burst onto the market. Oztent asked does a car camper really need their tent to fit into a tiny bag and the RV tent is the result.
When you are designing your processes and systems, ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish and what is the least functionality required to accomplish that objective. Back to the iPod example, an mp3 player needs to play mp3s so it needs a play button. You may also need to pause your mp3 player and scroll through your music collection. Apple asked “Why does that require more than one button?”
Likewise, with procurement systems, if you’re designing a procurement system, does it need anything more than a way of delivering approved requisitions to a supplier? Probably. But how little more can you get away with?
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