A practical starting point for thinking about purpose, settings and the trade-offs of another digital tool.
Name the job you need done
Describe the task in one sentence. An appealing feature list is not the same as a clear use for a tool. Consider whether a tool you already use can meet the same need.
Read the settings before accepting them
Look at the options available to you and identify the settings you do not understand. Check the developer’s own documentation instead of guessing what an option does.
Consider the whole routine
Think about the steps before and after using the app. Notice how you would move information into it, retrieve it later and stop using it when it no longer fits your needs.
Make a small, reversible test
Choose a low-stakes task for your first trial. Define what a useful result would look like and take time to decide whether the tool meets that test. Convenience is easier to assess when the task is specific.
Demonstration article for the TBI Journal theme. Review, expand and add appropriate sources before public launch.