The most successful systems we’ve developed began with a Visionary.
Not always someone with a grand title, just someone doing their job who saw a better way. Not just better for themselves, but for their team, and the organisation.
We call them Visionaries because plenty of people notice problems, but very few actually do something. But then a lot of ideas aren’t worth the effort. The hard part is knowing when one is.
From idea to system: the process
When a Visionary comes to us with an idea, we follow a simple discipline:
- We understand what they want to achieve — and whether we’re the right people to help. Not every problem needs a system, and not every system needs us.
- We design a high-level architecture. A good system with a poor architecture will almost always fail.
- Then we build a prototype — a deliberately small part of the system. This is often to test out a high-risk area, but it could also be part of the UI so people can see how it would work. But it’s always limited, and always designed to move the thinking forward.
The power of the prototype
Today this is often called a proof of concept. Sometimes it’s just “let’s see if this works”.
Names don’t matter. What matters is that the prototype tests whether something actually works — technically, operationally, or commercially. (In theory there’s no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.)
Because it’s a small bet, it can be thrown away. We often throw several prototypes away, because each one is small. But each time, we’ve learned something and the next step is clearer. We might refine a prototype or build something else. Each is a small bet, designed to reduce risk and build confidence.
Eventually, the prototype stops being a prototype and becomes a system. The Visionary can get budget to develop it further because everyone can see how it will work.
Do you have a visionary idea?
Many of the systems we’ve built have gone on to have long, productive lives. Mostly well after the original Visionary has moved on. They didn’t know at the start whether their idea was large or small; they only found out by making small bets.
If you have an idea that might be a better way, and want to explore it further, let’s have a conversation.
