DOP 269: Using Human Centered Computing in Platform Engineering
Jun 26, 2024
auto_awesome
Experienced in human-centered computing, Katharina Sick discusses prioritizing users in software development. They explore user needs in platform engineering, data analysis for user behavior, optimizing with Dynatrace, and the commitment of platform engineering teams. Humorous insights about working at Dynatrace add a playful touch to the episode.
Human Centered Computing prioritizes user feedback for better platforms.
Direct engagement with users leads to significant improvements in platform usability and effectiveness.
Deep dives
Building Platforms Developers Want to Use
Focusing on creating platforms that developers genuinely want to use is crucial for success. By placing a strong emphasis on the needs and preferences of developers, better platforms can be created. This approach involves prioritizing user feedback and actively engaging with users to understand their requirements, leading to tangible improvements in the platform's usability and effectiveness.
Human Centered Computing and User-Centric Development
Human Centered Computing involves placing the user at the core of application development. By shifting the focus towards understanding user needs and preferences, developers can create more effective and user-friendly applications. Engaging in direct conversations with end users can lead to significant enhancements in prototypes and planned features, highlighting the importance of integrating user feedback into the development process.
Internal Platform Development and User Accessibility
Developing internal platforms can offer advantages in accessibility and user engagement. The ease of access to users within the organization facilitates direct communication and feedback collection, leading to a more collaborative development process. Internal platforms provide opportunities for immediate feedback and engagement, enhancing the overall user experience and platform usability.
Balancing Scale and User-Centric Design
The scale of user interactions can impact the approach to user-centric design. While large user bases present challenges in direct user engagement, involving users in the development process remains essential for gathering valuable insights. Even with millions of users, obtaining feedback from a sample can still provide meaningful input for improving platform features and functionality.
#269: As developers, when we begin writing applications, the focus is often on the code itself. But what if we prioritized the user from the very beginning? This is where human-centered computing comes in. It's about placing the user at the heart of the development process, not merely making assumptions but actually going out and talking to them to understand their needs.
In this episode, we speak with Katharina Sick about her experiences with human centered computing and how that has helped her as team member of the Dynatrace platform engineering team.