Throw it Away – the Psychology of Floor Mats and Software

Everyone will tell you to build a prototype and then throw it away. With mechanical design, it’s done routinely; with electronics, we plan on it. But entire methodologies have been designed to make sure that your software prototype is saved.

It’s the Floor Mat Syndrome

If you are like most people I know, when you buy a new car you buy floor mats. While aside from some water and gravel, you don’t know what will accumulate on the floor, just like you don’t know every way that your product will be used.

But now let’s jump forward a couple years and look at those floor mats. They are covered with the history of the car including: grime, grease, coffee, gravel, salt, donut, bagel, Cheerios, and other things too embarrassing to mention.

In like ways, the people using your prototype-gone-product are using it in ways you never expected. They are searching differently, over-using under-designed features, and saving or making money in ways you never imagined.

To the Mat

Every time I’m in someone’s middle-aged car I look at the floor mats. They are often stained, rubbed, ragged and sometimes worn through. I then ask them “Since your car is more than halfway through its life, why not throw out the floor mats and enjoy the clean, unworn carpet underneath?” 

The answers are interesting. The fact is most can’t throw them out. They are stuck on the floor mats protecting the good carpeting even though the car is rusting through, the transmission is slipping, and the engine is rough.

But the mats are familiar and part of the car and they can’t throw them away; just like you can’t throw away your software prototype.

Throw Away That Prototype

Ok, this is not science, but we all seem to have an affinity for the familiar, even when it has lost its purpose or is no longer serving us well.

It is so hard to throw out your throw-away prototype. It’s familiar like an old friend and we want to keep it no matter how ragged and worn. But look at everything you have learned from the prototype; the great service your floor mats have provided. Look at how their flaws point to or cover up better things. Do what needs to be done and pitch them both.

And yes, take a look at your floor mats the next time you are in your car. If you throw them out, let me know... I’ll honor your courage.

Home | Privacy