Users in the Development Cycle.

Users have to be willing before they will use whatever product you develop. Generally, they will use it if it helps them get their work done--not if it provides important company infomration, not if it increases accountability--because it helps them do their work. Users have to be involved in the development process or the whole thing can too easily become an expensive exercise in failure.

The design steps are: application necessity, intended audience, delivery, technology, timeline, development, delivery, support.

As the project proceeds it's important to know everyone's roles and to balance input from project management, development, and end users.