Design Around Decisions™
People don't open software to fill forms. They open software to make decisions. Every screen should help users answer questions immediately.
The user never leaves the Purchase Order screen — every fact needed to decide is already on it.
Simplicity First
Every feature should reduce effort. Never increase complexity.
Old ERP
- 60 buttons on one screen
- 12 menus, 8 tabs
- Tiny, unlabeled icons
Modern
- Large, open workspace
- Grouped actions, search, favorites
- Recent items, minimal buttons
Every button on screen should earn its place for the task the user is doing right now — not sit there "just in case."
Maximum Information, Minimum Navigation
If a user needs seven clicks to see the full picture, the screen has already failed them.
Exception-Based Management™
Users should not search for problems. Software should highlight them.
Inventory example — only what needs attention is shown:
Progressive Disclosure
Don't show everything immediately. Show information only when needed.
Context Intelligence™
Every field should know everything about itself — the way a LinkedIn profile hover or a GitHub commit hover already does.
The pattern is familiar: a small information balloon on hover, like Microsoft Teams presence cards, LinkedIn profile previews, or GitHub commit hovers.
AI Before Search
Future applications shouldn't ask users to search. AI should suggest first.
One-Click Actions
Everything important should be one click away — not five.
Mobile By Purpose™
Don't copy the desktop screen onto a phone. Design specifically for mobility.
Desktop
- Planning
- Reports
- Analysis
- Configuration
Mobile
- Approval
- Photo & Signature
- GPS & Barcode/QR
- Voice
| Construction Example | Web (Back Office) | Mobile (Field) |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Budget | — | |
| Procurement & Payroll | — | |
| Site Photos & Inspection | — | |
| Material Request & Attendance | — | |
| Approvals & Safety Checks | — |
What You See Is What You Get™
One of the most impactful philosophies in this book — because it fixes the printing problem every ERP user complains about.
Traditional
- Designer preview ≠ actual output
- Long names overflow the page
- Developer needed for every layout change
Modern
- Designer = Print = PDF = Email
- Drag columns, margins, logo, address, tables
- Everything adjusts automatically to fit
AI As Your Assistant
Software should prepare. Users approve.
Design For AI Agents™
Future applications have two users — a human, and an AI agent. Design the screen for both.
Reduce Cognitive Load
Every field the user has to read, decide about, or fill is a small tax on their attention. Spend that tax carefully.
Bad
- 100 fields on one screen
Better
- 30 fields visible, rest collapsed
Excellent
- 5 fields — AI fills the rest
Living Profiles™
Instead of static master data, create intelligent profiles for every entity that matters to the business.
Every profile carries the same living components: Timeline, Documents, Analytics, AI Summary, KPIs, Photos, Activities and History.
Universal Design
Users should never have to relearn software. Use globally recognized icons and patterns.