connecting*the*dots

For the last two days, Dan, myself and the Ameritrade crew from Nebraska (that’s right, I said Nebraska) observed 10 active traders as they were walked through the prototype for the new trading platform we’re designing. We were a bit apprehensive going into it because we were adding numerous features and changing the paradigm of the trading model all together, but amazingly enough the response was enthusiastic and positive.

Of course some pretty bad design decisions in specific screens rose to the top through the interviews. By the 7th trader we were all covering our eyes and screaming at the mirror when they hit those areas. Dan and I even started a “task war,” pushing the moderator to lead the clients through each other’s shoddy screens. Yes, our professionalism deteriorated a bit, but we walked away with reams of notes and have a solid 3 weeks to crank out revisions for a second round of testing.

If all goes well (knock on wood) this product is going to be sweet when it hits the market.

Come this time tomorrow, I’ll be on a flight heading to Omaha, Nebraska with Dan Saffer and Tom Alison from Datek, to meet up with the design team at Ameritrade. We’re attempting to plan the redesign of our two separate trading platforms into one, so a meet and greet is more than necessary.

Aside from football, cornfields, and frozen steaks, I know nothing about Nebraska. If anyone can point out something interesting to do in Omaha, please feel free to let me know.