Mental models for designers (2019)
I really enjoyed the article and find several of the models quite useful.<p>However, I think the Diamond model can be over-used. It’s often the right model when you need to <i>explore</i> a topic or <i>persuade</i> a group to your vision or line of thinking. It’s perhaps not the best model for effective decision-making though. When the time comes to make a crisp decision, I want to see the recommendation framed up in the first section. If I’m reading a recommendation that we implement policy X, I want to know in the first paragraph (or two, max) that’s what this document is about, what the author’s recommendation is, and then see why and what alternatives where explored. I <i>specifically do not want</i> to read any story about the history, the existential problem, or why we need this policy before I know the recommendation. All that material that may have been important at kickoff is now relegated to supporting points in the middle, to an appendix, or removed entirely.<p>I read way too many “we need a decision here” documents that flow like murder mysteries.<p>Bottom Line Up Front for some topics, please.