The 80/20 Rule
Today I will be reflecting on this design principle. This is also known as the Pareto Principle.
I am not going to dive into what the principle is about, but just summarize that 80% of progress comes from 20% of the effort. This applies to product’s features and to daily life. I have five purses that I used the most. One of them is black, because it is the most practical and matchable I happen to use it the most.
This concept, derived from economics comes in hand after the ideation process when prioritization is a must. Following the 80/20 mantra will help create efficiency during development and to accomplish a simple and easy to use design.
On the other hand it is important to reinforce that having a lot of ideas and features is needed into any successful design process. The problem arises when there is not a good self-censorship internally and within the team. The 80/20 rule basically yields : Be a good design yogi!
Do you really use everything in your closet?
How can we define a good yogi? A good design yogi is balance in his design decisions. Also a design yogi is situational appropriate. Let yourself and the team ideate as much as needed, but go back to the drawing board and asses what could be the 20% needed to make the project successful… and absolutely Test it!!