I watched a Webinar on “The Fundamentals of Exceptional Interface Design” this morning for Filemaker experts and found the process extremely similar to the DADI process I use for Filemaker and web projects: Define, Architect, Design, and Implement.
It all stems from the need to Define what is needed before diving into the all-too-fun process of programming. It also comes from the need for the client to understand that they might need something other than what they have conceived. The client will have experience, generally, with one or several databases. The developer has produced dozens of system and offers the breadth and wealth of experience to the client.
In the first step of the process one can define needs and solutions to the task at hand and offer different approaches that depend on the needed outcome. Approaches not thought of by the client can be offered and discussed based on the developer’s repertoire or “bag of tricks.” As somebody once said, “Once begun is well done.” A good beginning or definition phase sometimes makes all the difference.