Component Quote by Lowell Jay Arthur
“The least flexible component of any system is the user.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Computer Systems Performance Analysis by Lowell Jay Arthur, 1991
Systems are designed by engineers, but the ultimate limit is how users adapt and use them.
In simple terms: Users are the hardest part to design for.
Key Takeaway
Design with user flexibility in mind.
Themes
design
usability
human factors
Mood
practical
realistic
Type
advice
guidance
When to use this quote
- software development
- product design
- customer support
- training programs
Key Concepts
systems theory
human-computer interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we involve users early in design?
- What barriers prevent user adoption?
A Different Perspective
Even a perfect design fails if users cannot or will not use it.
