Lucy Suchman’s work changed how we think about building technology. She showed that people don’t always use gadgets or systems exactly as designers expect. Instead, people often change how they act depending on what is happening around them.
Before her work, many designers believed that if they made clear plans for a system, users would follow those plans perfectly. Suchman pointed out that life is messy and full of surprises. People have different needs and may use technology in new or unexpected ways.
Because of her ideas, designers now try to see how people really use technology in everyday life. They spend more time talking with users, watching how they work, and learning about their needs. This helps them create technology that fits better into daily routines. In short, technology is made to be flexible and adapt to real life, instead of forcing people to follow strict rules.
Her work reminds us that good technology should work with people, not against them. It teaches us that by understanding real-life situations, we can design tools that are easier to use and more helpful to everyone.