The term “Wife Approval Factor” (WAF) in smart home technology has sparked both interest and debate. While it humorously highlights the need for tech enthusiasts to consider their partner’s preferences, it’s also raised questions about inclusivity and appropriateness. Is WAF a helpful concept that encourages consideration of all household members, or does it reinforce outdated gender roles and polarizing stereotypes? Check out the video from Michael below, and tell us your thoughts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAL62RY-YqI
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I certainly Iike the « Home Approval Factor » term. When building a home automation, the most important factor is that it will add value to all those who visit the home, the « stakeholders » of the home automation « enterprise ».
Making it all about the person who « likes » home automation and enjoys spending time setting it up, as well as their spouse, limits its value to only two people. Now if they don’t have kids and never have visitors, it will work. But I suspect this is rare and therefore, it is important to consider all stakeholders.
The successful home automation will be easy for guests to use and understand. No one should require detailed instructions or a course on how to interact with the home. It should be intuitive and seamless.
That said, most of us aren’t specialists in that domain, so there is a lot to learn, improve and apply. I hope that in most cases, as the home’s automation evolves, so will the list of stakeholders for whom it should add value. And with this, the terminology used to describe who should « approve » of it.
Thank you @Sara for sharing this link!
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Absolutely, I couldn’t agree more! Prioritizing the Home Approval Factor over the Wife Approval Factor is a smart move. It ensures that the design and functionality of the home meet the needs of everyone living there, creating a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for all. Thanks for highlighting this important perspective!
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That’s an excellent video, @Sara, thank you for sharing it–and also for the thoughtful comments by @Sebastien.
In our home, I’m “the tech guy.” One of the toughest challenges in our smart home is how to make something just work! Everyone (including me) gets annoyed when device or scene/routine doesn’t perform as expected. I find myself slipping into Troubleshooting Mode instead of listening to other frustrated users. I think the video explains Home Approval Factor in a clear manner–for those who are willing to listen.
And don’t even get me started on Alexa and how she thinks she know more than the user… 
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@Barkis Being the tech guy in the house definitely comes with its challenges, especially when things don’t work as expected. I can relate to slipping into troubleshooting mode; it’s so easy to get caught up in fixing things that we forget to empathize with those who are just frustrated. The concept of the Home Approval Factor is crucial for keeping everyone in the household happy with the smart home setup. As for Alexa, she’s definitely a handful at times. We have a love/hate relationship with her! 
It’s all part of the journey, though, right? The more we understand these systems, the better we can create a seamless experience for everyone at home.
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