Visio is a Microsoft Windows-based business drawing product designed for non-computer professionals to create business diagrams and technical drawings for their everyday work. The original premise for the product was there is an unsatisfied market need for this activity and that ease-of-use is critical to satisfying this need. The product has sold over 2 million copies worldwide in its 5 year life.

The presentation takes a practical look at creating and evolving a shrink-wrapped software product by looking at the following topics

1. The original Visio design goals intuitive for the casual user, familiar interface metaphors, reduced modality, layered functionality, persisted relationships, and adherence to platform standards.
2. How these goals were embodied in the product.
3. How the product has evolved since its introduction.

In particular the presentation will cover investing in ease-of-use, business and market pressures on design, and the pitfalls of listening to your customers.