Design
\nprofessionals who leverage tools and technology and, at the same time, have
\npeople skills, are essential to the future of the industry. They are Superusers,
\nthe protagonists of the latest book by Randy Deutsch.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \ufeffRandy Deutsch<\/strong> is an architect, educator, workshop leader, writer, and international keynote speaker. I had a chance to interview him about his book, Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice.<\/em><\/p>\n First, I IT, Randy Randy According Some will see Superusers as a direct challenge to their livelihood. However, the industry needs their passion and capabilities if it wants to thrive in the digital future of AI, machine learning, automation, and robotics.<\/p>\n Superusers must Superusers Some see crossing \u201cOne For the What makes Superusers \u201cI did not I told \u201cI think You can learn more about Randy Deutsch and his latest book at randydeutsch.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Randy is a keynote speaker at WDBE 2019<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Randy-Deutsch.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\nwas curious to know why he chose this topic for his fourth book. He explains: \u201cRight
\nnow, it made a lot of sense to focus on the individual, not focus on
\ncollaboration and building teams, and really define what each individual team
\nmember should be.\u201d<\/p>\nWho Are Superusers?<\/h2>\n
\ntechnology, and tool specialists are typically experts in a relatively narrow
\nfield. Designers, especially architects, must have a wider perspective. Superusers
\nare design technologists; liaisons between business needs and technology
\nsolutions. They demonstrate certain skillsets and mindsets.<\/p>\n
\nillustrates the nature of a Superuser\u2019s skills with a T-shape that IDEO made
\nfamous. The vertical bar represents the depth of related skills and expertise
\nin a single field. The horizontal bar visualizes the ability to collaborate
\nacross disciplines with experts in other areas and to apply knowledge other
\nthan one\u2019s own. It also denotes human interaction.<\/p>\n
\npoints out what makes Superusers different: \u201cUnlike previous generations, they
\ndefine everything they do in terms of delivering value. They are high
\nperforming and high functioning people who reframe any assignment that they\u2019re
\ngiven. If somebody says to them, you need to rationalize the building fa\u00e7ade,
\nor something along those lines, they\u2019re going to reframe the assignment from a
\nfinancial, performative, even liability-reducing standpoint, but at the same
\ntime \u2014and that\u2019s what
\nsets them apart\u2014they don\u2019t
\ntreat design as a separate thing.\u201d<\/p>\nWhy Do We Need Them and
\nHow Do We Keep Them?<\/h2>\n
\nto Randy, Superusers have identified that, in an environment of ever-shrinking
\nfees, the only path to our salvation is through automation. He says that
\narchitects \ufeffwork in a profession that has its roots in an artistic tradition
\nspanning hundreds of years. The tradition assumes that \ufeffthe act of \u201cdesign\u201d is
\nirreducibly human, erroneously so, as Randy argues.<\/p>\n
\nnot be non-billable tech people or internal consultants; they also need to work
\nin projects. That way, they can educate and inspire others in their teams. Superusers
\ncan also be in managerial positions, and in that way influence the design and
\nbusiness.<\/p>\n
\nare tempted to cross over to startups and tech companies; not solely for the
\nmoney, but for the chance to work in an environment in which they are valued. Fun,
\nwhich is another driver for Superusers\u00ad, can also play a part in the
\ntransition.<\/p>\n
\nover as a natural evolutionary process. Nevertheless, Randy points out that if
\nwe can keep Superusers in our industry, they\u2019ll help us transform much sooner.<\/p>\n
\nrequirement that they absolutely need is the freedom to make decisions: freedom
\nto connect with others and to communicate with others. Not to follow very
\nrigorous and strict approaches to things. That they can experiment, fail, fail
\nfast, and continually improve,\u201d Randy reminds us.<\/p>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/aec-hackathon-superusers.jpg\")
The Ten C-Factors and
\nSuperpowers<\/h2>\n
\nbook, Randy interviewed several individuals who can be labeled Superusers. He
\nbreaks down certain distinguishing features or attributes common to all Superusers.
\nInterestingly, nine out of the ten so-called C-factors are \u201csoft\u201d:<\/p>\n\n
\ncuriosity, especially about the world outside technology.<\/li>\n
\nworld beyond the imminent problem.<\/li>\n
\ndrained, by being around people.<\/li>\n
\nthe word out to others.<\/li>\n
\nteams.<\/li>\n
\ncan take multiple assignments by working smart.<\/li>\n
\nimprove what already exists.<\/li>\n
\nfocus.<\/li>\n
\nhave a mindset that enables them to think computationally.<\/li>\n
\nor script, or at least understand what coding entails.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ninteresting for the firms who want to hire them for their teams are their
\nspecial skills or \u201csuperpowers.\u201d They \ufeffcover problem-solving and communication
\nskills, interpersonal and conversational skills, question-asking, thought
\nleadership, and storytelling. They also include three intangibles: drive, the ability
\nto prioritize, and the ability to think in 3D.<\/p>\n
\nsay this in the book, but just like learning coding, or learning a
\ncomputational tool, similarly, all these soft skills, attitudes, and mindsets
\nare things that we also can develop and learn,\u201d Randy adds.<\/p>\nAre You a Superuser?<\/h2>\n
\nRandy that I identify as a Superuser and asked if he does, as well. He does not
\nlabel himself as one, but says that he\u2019s gifted at recognizing those attributes
\nin others. For that reason, he helps recruit and connect Superusers with firms
\nall over the world.<\/p>\n
\nthat is incredibly important for our industry that we all aspire to become Superusers.
\nSo that way, together, we can raise each other up, we can help make our field
\nmore productive, and not just rely on the tech folks to do it,\u201d Randy
\nconcludes.<\/p>\n
\n