I contribute to Google Maps whenever I can, in my local language. It’s rewarding to see the views my contributions get when I receive email alerts from Google Maps.
There was a meme teasing Google Maps for directing people to a river or canal, but that meme isn’t as popular these days. Maps has improved a lot, especially in small towns, and now even has street view!
It's an amazing read, the solution approach is so empathic. Would somehow like to understand how ethnographic studies at the scale of India's road network is carried out logistically.
I’m not sure I fully understand your question. Ethnographic research pointed at how we could incorporate landmarks into directions and wayfinding in a natural, intuitive way.
The research was not conducted across all of India and didn’t provide specific solutions. Rather, it unlocked “how” Google Maps could adapt to work in India.
Someone’s resilience to not only ‘make it work’ but to ‘make it work well’ changes the way future teams approach challenges.
I live in Bangalore (India) and by profession, I’m a project manager in the construction industry. If you know anything about our industry, it’s notoriously unreliable when it comes to deadlines (despite how hard we work to meet them!).
There’s an internal joke on my team:
When in Bangalore, Google Maps is like your typical PM. It commits, but has no qualms about failing.
Trust me, it fails far too often.
Jokes aside, Bangalore traffic is a living, breathing challenge, and it often feels like Maps doesn’t quite account for its dynamic nature. Your story gives me hope that a tool as global as Google Maps can evolve to meet local realities.
I appreciate you reaching out. You aren't the first person to alert me to the video with concerns over plagiarism. I felt it too, while watching the video. Per Sai's comment, yes, the video creator does a tiny splash of credit at the end and links to my substack from the video description. But as I watched it, it did feel like someone was stealing my words vs sharing about the story from their own POV.
It is clearly mentioned at the end of the video that source of the video is this post and the link is also mentioned in the description. That should be fine in my opinion.
Surprised that Google is letting you share this stuff public-ally. I would imagine they would like to keep such process trade secret. How altruistic of Google!
So, conclusion is that we have to know ground realities and user insights before launch a product.. right?
Wow, glad I came across this post!
I contribute to Google Maps whenever I can, in my local language. It’s rewarding to see the views my contributions get when I receive email alerts from Google Maps.
There was a meme teasing Google Maps for directing people to a river or canal, but that meme isn’t as popular these days. Maps has improved a lot, especially in small towns, and now even has street view!
It's an amazing read, the solution approach is so empathic. Would somehow like to understand how ethnographic studies at the scale of India's road network is carried out logistically.
I’m not sure I fully understand your question. Ethnographic research pointed at how we could incorporate landmarks into directions and wayfinding in a natural, intuitive way.
The research was not conducted across all of India and didn’t provide specific solutions. Rather, it unlocked “how” Google Maps could adapt to work in India.
The specifics and scaling came next.
Ironically big bazaar is no more... But great read!
Very insightful, Interesting read!
Came here from the video on youtube, what an amazing product development cycle this one was!
For most of the people which is just an update to a software, there is such a story and effort that goes behind.
Lovely read.
Brings my curiosity and respect for professionals to a new high!
What a wonderful story to read.
Someone’s resilience to not only ‘make it work’ but to ‘make it work well’ changes the way future teams approach challenges.
I live in Bangalore (India) and by profession, I’m a project manager in the construction industry. If you know anything about our industry, it’s notoriously unreliable when it comes to deadlines (despite how hard we work to meet them!).
There’s an internal joke on my team:
When in Bangalore, Google Maps is like your typical PM. It commits, but has no qualms about failing.
Trust me, it fails far too often.
Jokes aside, Bangalore traffic is a living, breathing challenge, and it often feels like Maps doesn’t quite account for its dynamic nature. Your story gives me hope that a tool as global as Google Maps can evolve to meet local realities.
Hi, I think this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HSYTIEXa5w has plagarized your post.
I appreciate you reaching out. You aren't the first person to alert me to the video with concerns over plagiarism. I felt it too, while watching the video. Per Sai's comment, yes, the video creator does a tiny splash of credit at the end and links to my substack from the video description. But as I watched it, it did feel like someone was stealing my words vs sharing about the story from their own POV.
It is clearly mentioned at the end of the video that source of the video is this post and the link is also mentioned in the description. That should be fine in my opinion.
Wow - love this - good old-fashioned ethonographic research wins the race, and stands the test of time. Good on you, Olga!
Enjoyed reading this article, gained valuable insights!
Excellent share. Thank you. If you're ever up for it, would love to have you on my newsletter to share your insights.
Sure, I’d be happy to chat.
Insightful and inspiring journey. Thanks for sharing.
Surprised that Google is letting you share this stuff public-ally. I would imagine they would like to keep such process trade secret. How altruistic of Google!
Just wow! Excellent user research and evolution of the product. Highly impressed
Very insightful