tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077189869336195827.post5069862776025367648..comments2023-09-25T04:46:47.467-04:00Comments on The expected result was 42. Now what was the test?: Testing Skills #9 - Differentiating between wants and needsJohn Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05696297547425084869noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077189869336195827.post-9285868576164666632015-12-21T04:28:08.782-05:002015-12-21T04:28:08.782-05:00Hi James
It is rather interesting that people ge...Hi James <br /><br />It is rather interesting that people get confused with the distinct between something they would like (a want) and something that is necessary (a need). <br /><br />And yes it is going deeper and asking what would as you put it "the intent behind the want". It is using critical thinking to solve the problem of what is being asked for. As human beings we do try to ask for more than we need, it is a survival instinct. I should have been clearer in the article that understands the difference between want and needs is vital to ensure delivery of the right product.John Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05696297547425084869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077189869336195827.post-88323695108669195092015-12-19T01:21:00.583-05:002015-12-19T01:21:00.583-05:00I think I'm with Always fearful here.
Is the ...I think I'm with Always fearful here.<br /><br />Is the distinction that you're really trying to draw between "what they say they want" and "something that would satisfy the intent behind the want"? (But still might not be needed.)<br /><br />Related, you can get some idea of implicit prioritisation of stakeholder desires by listening carefully to the language they use around them, e.g. http://qahiccupps.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/modal-driven-development.html<br /><br />James Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185262890702402757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077189869336195827.post-60908605184843887732015-12-16T06:18:26.300-05:002015-12-16T06:18:26.300-05:00How do you know the 'want is a valid thing?...How do you know the 'want is a valid thing?'<br /><br />Want indicates a desire to have something.<br /><br />Need indicates something that is essential or important.<br /><br />Understanding this difference can help you work out what is of value to the person asking.John Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05696297547425084869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077189869336195827.post-46710527500621421362015-12-16T05:52:05.494-05:002015-12-16T05:52:05.494-05:00Why?
I can get the difference between what the cli...Why?<br />I can get the difference between what the client (management, in this case is a client) wants and what the client says he wants - but that want is a valid thing. Understanding the needs of a client is important, but it is only part of the picture. I think that the goal should be to understand what will satisfy the wants of the client - it won't always be what the client asks for, but often it will be more than bare minimal needs.Always fearfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10841585549361070791noreply@blogger.com