Many in the technology world focus on the technology itself without significant consideration of the data or more importantly, the information. When you dig a bit deeper, the real reason, the business reason we exist is about the data. Just presenting data, however, it not enough. When building applications to present data, we need to consider how to best present information. And with information, there is a core principle to follow. I call it ‘rIrTrPrM’. rIrTrPrM is an acronym of sorts:
rIrTrPrM
rI = right Information: Ensuring that the right information is presented. Extraneous or wrong information creates a convoluted picture. And it’s important to consider the information to present, not just data or data elements.
rT = right Time: Presenting the information at the right time or point when the user or consumer is looking for it.
rP = right Person: Matching the correct information to the right person looking for it. This is more of a matching of interests rather than security paradigm.
rM = right Medium: With several ways to present information, delivering the information in the right channel or medium. Is paper the right medium or mobile device or web application?
From a marketing perspective, getting the right information to the right person at the right time has been a basic principle. However, with the advent of newer technology methods and a change in the behaviors of how people consume information, the medium is a new component to consider.
When building applications, one must consider the user of the application and the information they will consume. In doing so, consider using the rIrTrPrM principle.