“Fast, agile, effortless, figure it on the way, etc.” are often presented as the way to go in this day and age.
But…
Sometimes fast is slow and slow is fast.
Here are some lessons we’ve learned after fixing two client web sites that were suffering from configuration issues:
We want quick, easy, and effortless…
That’s one of the problems of our age.
Why?
One reason is that we are being manipulated into adopting that kind of thinking. Those marketing jargon, templates, cheat sheets… But that’s a topic for another post.
(*) Here is the problem with quick, easy, and effortless:
First of all, building something is never easy. It requires a process of refinement.
When we ignore the steps of the process, we eventually fall/fail.
I see this a lot in the websites we fix, even come across when surfing the internet.
The two websites we recently fixed had serious issues just because of cutting corners which hurt them in the long run, and cost them time and opportunities.
Because under the hood, there are lots of things going on the client doesn’t even know about. Ignoring these and going for the easy route is an invitation to many other problems.
You can find the solution to every problem on the internet now, even easier with the rise of AI.
But how does the solution fit into the flow of design, how does it fit into the big picture?
There is always a workflow to consider before implementing a quick solution.
Here is a tip against the pitfalls of quick and easy:
Next time you find a quick solution online, don’t immediately jump on it. Search for “[solution] issues” as well.
You may be surprised how seeing real-world experiences changes your perspective.
Don’t learn from your mistakes alone but from others’ as well. And be extra careful when presented with an “easy” fix.
And finally, if something looks effortless, it means that a lot of effort was put in upfront.
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(*) I asked Gemini at this point about this topic. Below is the prompt and the response. Of course, the situation I mentioned above is more in the context of how taking the easy way out in the things we build can cause us more costly headaches later.
There is no harm in considering the other possibilities. I agree with the following points as well.
Prompt: What is the problem with quick, easy, and effortless solutions? Not based on the document. Search the internet if there are any ideas.
Answer: Quick, easy, and effortless solutions often come with several problems:
- Lack of depth and long-term sustainability: They may provide superficial fixes without addressing the root causes of an issue, leading to recurring problems or new, unforeseen complications down the line.
- Compromised quality: Rushing through a process or opting for the simplest path can lead to lower quality outcomes, as less time and effort are invested in thoroughness, detail, and refinement.
- Missed learning opportunities: Complex challenges often provide valuable learning experiences. When solutions are too easy, individuals or organizations might miss opportunities to develop new skills, deepen understanding, or build resilience.
- Fragility and lack of robustness: Solutions that are effortless to implement might also be effortless to break or circumvent. They may not be robust enough to handle unexpected changes, stress, or new demands.
- Creation of dependency: Over-reliance on quick fixes can prevent the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, leading to a dependency on external, simple solutions rather than internal capacity building.
- Underestimation of effort: The expectation of effortless solutions can lead to frustration and burnout when real-world challenges inevitably require significant effort and perseverance.
- Ignoring nuance and complexity: Complex problems rarely have simple answers. Quick solutions often oversimplify issues, overlooking critical nuances and interconnected factors that need careful consideration.