Training and testing
I've written before that the best form of training follows this process: Tell them what you're going to do, tell them what you're doing, tell them what you did.
When working with your software company to report bugs or other issues, you should follow a similar process:
- Tell them what you were trying to do. For example, "I'm trying to process a membership order."
- Tell them how you did it. For example, "Here are the steps I followed." Be as explicit as possible and include screenshots!
- Tell them what happened. Show the results of your steps (again, including screenshots).
We've all heard "a picture is worth 1,000 words." I mentioned screenshots twice above for that very reason. Screenshots often communicate more than any narrative can.
"The membership join process doesn't work" is reporting a bug, but it's almost useless in terms of helping the software company figure out your problem. But following the process above will clearly communicate the issue and bring a resolution much more quickly.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
“Correct your mistakes before they become your habits”
“Correct your mistakes before they become your habits” Yet another great quote from James Clear: “Correct […]
Sometimes it’s a process issue
Sometimes it’s a process issue When I work with clients on developing a needs list […]
First ask: “How will I use this data?”
First ask: “How will I use this data?” Whether it’s during data conversion, adding a […]
“We run the report three times and get three different results.”
“We run the report three times and get three different results.” “We run the same […]
How do you know if you’re making progress?
How do you know if you’re making progress? We all want to improve our data management, […]
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly This may sound like a big “duh!” but I’ll […]
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.”
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.” “Your current habits are […]
There is value in just going through the exercise
There is value in just going through the exercise I was working with a client […]
Daylight savings and business rules
Daylight savings and business rules This past Sunday, most of the US observed Daylight Savings […]
It’s always about priorities
It’s always about priorities No matter the size or type of technology project, you will […]
