This also reminds me of usability testing. A GUI designer or a Business Analyst who’s too close to the project can lose sight of how a “normal” user will respond to the software. Joel Spolsky (www.joelonsoftware.com) talks about Hallway Usability testing…just grab someone walking by, and have them use your software for a bit. Every time I’ve done that, I’ve found it to be a great way to flush out the parts that are hard to use. Maybe you should watch your friends play the game…?

Da Vinci said “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.” Sounds like he covers it all there…