Views of work, the foundations of architecture

Abstract

This paper explores how the perspectives that we adopt in understanding how people work, shape the technologies that we design to be part of that work. Using examples from our current technology, it indicates how the resulting machines, and their user interfaces, fall short in the roles they are designed to play in work. Such descriptions as user friendly, idiot proof, command Job, work flow and supporting work betray viewpoints which lead to difficulties in our designs. The paper suggests through possible future designs that better understandings of work can lead through the framing of architecture to better technology, systems and working.