Great questions David R., The accountability as I see it, at a superficial level at least (because I have no real data to support this claim), falls on the relantionship between the project managers of the design team and the MBTA stakeholders.
The problem with creating a great, empathetic design with so many people involved is getting passionate people behind its creation. I'd guess, and only guess, that the relationship between the people funding the project and the people designing the system malfunctioned in some way. I'm reminded of Dustin Curtis's recent example of American Airlines (http://dustincurtis.com). The culture makes it very difficult for great design to happen. My guess is that this example of the MBTA CharlieCard system is such a culture. So how can we, as perhaps mere pawns in the game, become spokesmen (and spokeswomen) for emphasizing and encouaging a culture that allows for great interaction design? Jared Spool recently wrote an article about how the market dictates the emphasis on quality UX. Perhaps goverment-like cultures aren't ready for that? Who know when they'll be ready. Although Obama seems to be headed in the right direction. Let's hope they can follow his administrations lead? Cheers, Jason R. -- Jason Robb http://jasonrobb.com http://uxboston.com http://uiscraps.tumblr.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from ixda.org (via iPhone) http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=43446 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
