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Lurking Luddites, Listen Up

Leave a Comment / Opinion / By Michael Janzen

Before you rake me over the coals in the comments, let me say that as a minimalist and someone who personally embraces the concept of simple living without a heavy reliance on technology, these observations pertain solely to business and not a lifestyle. We’re not a technology company!? People occasionally proclaim, “We’re not a technology …

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Tiny House Design System – New Book

Leave a Comment / Books / By Michael Janzen

Over the years, I have spent much time perfecting my approach to designing tiny houses. Through this process, I have developed a simple, effective way to create beautiful, functional tiny homes. I am thrilled to announce that my Tiny House Design System is now available for everyone. The Tiny House Design System consists of compatible …

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Road Trip Gooseneck Tiny House Design Study

Leave a Comment / Tiny Houses / By Michael Janzen

This is a concept for a 36-foot tiny house on wheels. It has two living rooms than convert into sleeping spaces. The kitchen and bath are centrally located. A fold-down porch and stairs provide exterior living space but fold up for travel. The windows all have covers that provide shade when up and security and …

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6 Things That Make Agile Work

Leave a Comment / Agile Development / By Michael Janzen

There are more than six things that make agile work but in my experience, these six are often overlooked or forgotten. Focusing on these them will improve product quality, reduce errors, and improve value to the customer. When your product makes your customer successful, you will be successful. #1 Overcoming the Methodology Misconception The first …

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Agile is Collaboration Codified

Leave a Comment / Agile Development / By Michael Janzen

Agile Methodology is an iterative process for making things like software (or even designing and building tiny houses). Backstory Back in 2000, I led digital product design for a brand new commercial banking portal. Agile Methodology was born in the Spring of 2000 when 17 developers in Oregon came together to discuss how they could …

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What do digital products, architecture, and pottery have in common?

Leave a Comment / Opinion / By Michael Janzen

Patterns… they are everywhere. When we recognize a familiar pattern we instantly know what it is and how to use it. When we see a button, we know how to click it. When we see a coffee cup, we how to drink from it. When we see a front door, we know how to enter …

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HeliHouse

Leave a Comment / Alternative Architecture / By Michael Janzen

I’m obsessed with learning to fly, helicopters and airplanes. I know a few people with their licenses and it sounds like a blast… real freedom… like owning your own time machine. The HeliHouse sits on top of a mountain. It would be built modularly one piece at a time. Each sub-2000 pound modular element is …

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Product Designer or Tool Maker

Leave a Comment / Opinion / By Michael Janzen

Who are you? I love to make stuff. Some people call this a product designer. I’m I sub-specialist. I’m a tool maker. Tool making is an ancient pursuit. As long as we’ve had opposable thumbs we’ve probably been making tools. I love making things that people can use. When I was making pottery I loved …

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Lazy or Smart?

Leave a Comment / Opinion / By Michael Janzen

You may have heard this Bill Gates quote before. “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” Bill Gates Lazy is often mistaken for intelligence. I hate doing things the hard way. I’m not interested in spending enormous amounts of time …

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Agile – The Answer to Your Problem?

Leave a Comment / Agile Development / By Michael Janzen

You know the type, folks who tell you it’s their agile way or the highway. I’m not one of those people, but I’m not shy with sharing my thoughts on working in ways that produce better results. In other words, I’m agile in my approach to Agile. I think there are a hundred right ways …

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