Why Do You Like Usability?

I had to think about why I like usability, turns out there’s 5 reasons. So, why do YOU like usability, how many reasons do you have?

So, you’re sitting there, reading this, and I’m guessing because of that you find usability interesting. And perhaps like me you’re wondering, why DO I like usability?

So, why do you? What is it about usability that causes you to find it interesting, rewarding or satisfying? I wonder sometimes, what is it that causes me to be drawn to usability? What makes me want to come to work and do a heuristic review, or interview application customers, or create a protocol? When I stop and think about it, and I did have to stop and think about it, I can come up with a few (meaning 5) reasons why I like usability.

Why I like usability:

1. It makes a difference for people:
I like making a difference and helping people. I’m betting you do too. I like being able to use my skills to improve a situation and make things better. By making a difference I find satisfaction in my day. I don’t need a medal or award or even a pat on the back, just knowing that I’m making a difference and helping people provides the incentive to come to work day after day after day.

2. It makes a difference for companies:
Usability is great in that it helps people, but at the end of the day it’s a company that provides me and my family our income. Without that company, and that paycheck, we would be in a rather difficult situation. Thus, helping my company is helping me and my family, and my co-workers, and customers, vendors and everyone else that is touched by my company. And it improves the business of the company, both of which make me feel good. I’m proud of my company, and I’m proud I can help my company grow, and be a better company.

3. It’s technical, without requiring being a coder.
Technology is fun for me (in moderation, I will freely profess that I am not a tech-head), and web technology is fun because it follows simple patterns and structures. HTML, the base of the web, is a rather simple and friendly language that follows simple rules, and is easy to learn. More advanced technology allows a much more sophisticated experience that is still based on patterns and structure. Much like traditional architecture, the technology of the web is easy to build on, and scale. I think many usability practitioners are actually closet builders or architects.

4. It involves people.
Coding and technology are fun and all, but I get a great sense of satisfaction in helping other people. I’m the guy that enjoys helping a lost couple find their way back to the main road, or helping a neighbor hang Halloween lights, or help my friends move (the ultimate sacrifice according to some). I just like helping people, and usability gives me non-stop opportunities to do that. I’ll bet you like helping people too.

5. It’s logical
Now as much as I like helping people, they are not always that easy to understand. The nice thing about usability is it’s highly logical. A task is a task, a test is a test, and if done right results will be consistent and clear. Making usability changes based on heuristics, based on common practices is also very logical. The usability logic of a “Submit” button is clear, the button should look a certain way and should work in a certain way. Usability is all about taking the surprise out of a web experience, and instead making it a more logical and self-evident experience.

So why do you like usability?

Why do you like usability? What’s the reason you go to work everyday, hoping for that next big usability project? Why did you get into usability, was is by plan or by accident? And what keeps you coming back for more? Can you list the reasons why YOU like usability?