Fixing Tech: Make It Just Work

Why modern technology frustrates users and how developers can fix it

Fixing Tech: Make It Just Work examines why smart devices still fail their users despite decades of advancement. David S. Platt, a Microsoft Software Legend who teaches computer science at Harvard University Extension School, dissects the persistent disconnect between what technologists build and what users actually experience. Research shows 88% of online consumers avoid returning after a bad experience, and 90% abandon apps due to poor performance.

Platt identifies specific user interface pain points across modern technology, from voice assistants to AI-driven products, and offers concrete guidance on how software companies can understand the perspective of their users. The book provides a framework for evaluating what better technology could look like and how development teams can prioritize usability over feature accumulation in their design processes.

Readers will also find:

• Strategies for software companies to adopt a user-first perspective rather than prioritizing the latest technical features
• Real-world examples of technology failures drawn from consumer experiences with voice assistants, smart devices, and web interfaces
• Practical approaches for engineering managers to evaluate and improve user experience across their product development lifecycle
• A sharp, witty critique that reframes how developers and technical leaders think about the people using their products

Written for software developers, engineering managers, and tech industry leaders working in startups, mid-sized companies, and enterprise environments, Fixing Tech delivers a direct look at the user experience problems that persist across modern software, along with actionable guidance for building technology that serves its users.