Exploring System Quality Attributes
I practice bushcraft as a hobby in my pastime. It helps me reconnect with nature and exposes me to a way of thinking lost to modernity. Bushcraft involves utilizing resources that your environment provides and turning them into functional and beautiful objects. A couple of years ago, I read the book "Advanced Bushcraft" by David Canterbury.
In the book, Mr. Canterbury describes a method for acquiring and selecting equipment for your bushcraft kit. He uses specific system quality attributes that he believes are essential for creating the best kit. These attributes are: Functionality, Affordability, Repeatability, Maintainability, Ergonomics, and Durability, collectively referred to as FARMED:
- Functionality: Is this tool designed for only one specific purpose, or could it be used for several different tasks?
- Affordability: Does this tool fit into my budget, especially when considering the total cost of the tools needed for my kit?
- Repeatability: Can I perform tasks consistently with this tool, or is there a steep learning curve to master it?
- Maintainability: Is this tool easy to maintain over time with minimal additional gear?
- Ergonomics: Does this tool feel comfortable for my body stature and build? Will it cause fatigue or discomfort during use?
- Durability: Is the tool of good quality and likely to last for years with proper maintenance?
What intrigues me is this specific way of thinking, particularly regarding how you select and buy certain products. It also makes me ponder which system quality attributes I would consider when building things for the web. I discovered a list of common attributes on Wikipedia.