design by committee
DESCRIPTION
UX work in an Agile (or almost Agile) environment can sometimes feel like 'Design by Committee'. The Tribune UX team would like to share some tips, thoughts and strategies we use internally, to maintain the sanctity of a participatory design environment. We will stay as practical as possible, using recent projects to walk through what we do. The goal is to leave you with some key takeaways to try in your workplace.TRANSCRIPT
Kevin LeebroderickUX ArchitectTribune Company
July IXDA 2012 @ Tribune Company
DESIGN BY COMMITTEEMaintaining Sanity in an Agile Environment
Pradeep NayarUX PrincipalTribune Company
We are a
MEDIACOMPANY
23TV STATIONS
8NEWSPAPERS
50+WEBSITES
160years
old
5
PRIOR UX WORK
L.A. TIMES IPAD APP
L.A. TIMES WINDOWS
PHONE 7 APP
CRIME L.A.ANDROID
APP
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
WINDOWS 8APP
Mobile
Social
Tablet
TV
Web
Strategy
CONCEPTS
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PRIOR UX WORK
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE
RESPONSIVE SITE
“DESIGN BY COMMITTEE”
OUR GOAL
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“DESIGN BY COMMITTEE”PARTICIPATORY DESIGN
OUR GOAL
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Redesigning the Stop sign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwqPYeTSYng
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WE’RE AGILE!...almost
AGILE = COLLABORATION
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LET’S BRAINSTORM
Brainstorm meetings
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Lack focus
Progress too quickly to a solution
without exploring options
Most powerful, loud and/or
obnoxious person wins!
People get excited about an existing solution
rather than solving the problem
Some solutions are not cohesive
with the overall experience
CHALLENGE
“Brainstorm” in isolation
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SOLUTION
Have a designated facilitator
Embrace divergent thinking;
conduct individual exploration
Conduct a design studio, not a BRAINSTORM MEETING!!!
THE CREW
STAKEHOLDERS
DEVELOPERS
PRODUCT MANAGER
PROJECT MANAGER
QUALITY ASSURANCE
TEAM UX
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
STAKEHOLDERS
DEVELOPERS
PRODUCT MANAGER
PROJECT MANAGER
QUALITY ASSURANCE
TEAM UX
TEAM UX
You are a design facilitator
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SPOILER ALERT
In an agile environment...
Not enough time
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CHALLENGE
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SOLUTION
STARTSKETCHING!!!
NO EXCUSES!
SOLUTION
PRESENTinternally
CRITIQUEnot gut reaction
PROTOTYPETest it!
many ideas
SKETCH
rinse & repeat
Believe in your solution
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You can’t sell it if you don’t believe it.
Never go aloneAlways tag team.
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SPOILER ALERT
VISUAL DESIGNER UX ARCHITECT
+
PRODUCT MANAGER
They are your closest ally but...
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There is a grey area - work it out!
Let’s do what the N.Y. Times does...
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CHALLENGE
“Follow the leader” approach.
Explain why it may not workTime to show your expertise on interface design.
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SOLUTION
Look at other examples to force a conversation.
Focus on the problem you are trying to solve
and question the solution.
They might try to design the interface
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CHALLENGE
Let them sketch ideas.
Be open to various forms of communication
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SOLUTION
Remind them that your job is to make them look good.
They help push hard features forward
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It’s important to maintain daily communication with them.
PROJECT MANAGER
They are usually the scrum master
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A good project manager can make or break a project.
Over promises on deliverables
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CHALLENGE
Trying to please an impatient stakeholder.
Be upfront and realistic about estimates
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SOLUTION
Build on existing trust and confidence.
There is no such thing as over-communication.
DEVELOPERS
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Best friend or worst enemyThey make your ideas come to life.
Like reuse of code & efficiency
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CHALLENGE
Solutions oriented around technology
rather than the needs of users.
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Reality of agile developmentStuff always changes.
It’s all about building a better product
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SOLUTION
Walk-through the interface using specific scenarios.
Take the time to explain the thought behind your design.
Thank them for a job well done!
Try to include them early in a solution.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
If UX is the quarterback...
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QA is the receiver.
QA only tests functionality
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CHALLENGE
Set expectations & keep in touch
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SOLUTION
Need to emphasis how important
they are to the project.
The success of the project depends on them.
Talk about a holistic testing approach.
Conduct occasional walk-throughs with them.
STAKEHOLDERS
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Talk to them in a language they understandTalk about customers, not users.
UX also needs to think about the business
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SPOILER ALERT
User needs + business needs = $$$ for everyone.
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CHALLENGE
Dealing with an alpha personality
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Let’s face it.You’re not going to win, but...
SOLUTION
Figure out what makes them tick.
Find an influencer and become their buddy.
Don’t be scared - they’re not going to bite.
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Always present your workNever email a deliverable and assume
they understand your lengthy email.
SPOILER ALERT
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Always present your workNever email a deliverable and assume
they understand your lengthy email.
SPOILER ALERT
SELL
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Selling the ideaConsider making it a experience.
PresentationExperience
Give them options, but lead them to your choiceAlways tell a story.
Solution A
Normal
Solution B
Better
Solution C
What they should want
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What are you selling?
TRUST & CONFIDENCE
It’s not a war
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FINALLY!
We’re all in this together.
Thanks!
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Get in touch with questions, comments
or other feedback
Pradeep Nayar
designonmymind
Kevin Leebroderick
Special thanks to
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Kim Ruelo
Adam Jankowski
Kate Rosendale
Andre Alforque
Trent Sherrell