PowerPoint as a Deliverable !!!- Okay, I didn't intend to delve into this, but it's undeniably true that PowerPoint presentations have become a frustrating obstacle for designers striving towards product delivery. I recall a recent incident when I challenged a "leader" on the need to break away from this norm. Her response was dismissive: "I am the audience," she said, suggesting that I treat the process as some form of theatrics.

It's this kind of attitude that is eroding the sense of purpose among designers I know. Several talented design researchers have even resigned due to this disturbing trend. One, who is also reading this post went on leave because she spent 4 weeks massaging a PowerPoint for some quarterly meeting and told me she did not sign up for this. Another guy I know spent 2 days on 11 slides. When I asked why, it became apparent it was skewed by a cultural dimension of answering to a "higher" caste leader. Makes me mental! That's out of my range of topics to blog about but e are all talking about this as "make work."

It seems apparent that those in positions of power are the ones perpetuating this issue. To me, this represents nothing less than their laziness and a blatant disregard for the actual value of the work. It's an annoying disruption to my workflow. I’ve made my stance clear and loudly refuse to participate in this.

Additionally, this particular leader demands that everything be simplified down to an 8-point format, presumably because she needs everything spelled out for her. We, the team have tabled this as her limited experience working as a consultant and NEVER of a software team (think Deloitte type company). PowerPoint is the deliverable.

Phew! that was cathartic, Gordon :) - Thanks for engaging.