As a User experience consultant, I go through several different design phases in order to deliver a solution that meets users’ expectations. So if I can choose to work in certain way, this is what I prefer.
Learn by exploring and asking
What is the business problem we are trying to solve? What is the opportunity we are trying to explore? Where should I look for inspiration?
Understand the competitive and social landscape for the proposed new product
Is the product a revolution or an evolution?
What constraints do we as the project team has, which will affect the nature and amount of work? Developers, designers, Product owners, SMEs, all have valuable ideas and inputs
Important is to think about Function, Form and Emotion. Technology will follow
User Research
Before I start, I need to know who is the user exactly? What are they doing now? What are their needs? What are their wants? Interviewing stakeholders and subject matter experts helps to get insight into end user mindset
User journeys, Statistics, Empathy mapping, Brainstorming sessions, War room conversations, basically any research that gives an insight helps
UX strategy
My main focus is to develop concepts and experience maps that will help the stakeholders achieve business objectives by meeting end user goals.
I highlight UX issues and provide the project team with structured recommendations after analyzing the existing digital product or service. This gives a clear set of action items in a prioritized manner that can be used as a basis for measuring success of the digital product/services
Creating order out of chaos
User research will inform and give many solutions, but does that make sense?
Why becomes very important here
This keeps the design in focus on what is really needed now or we can park it for later.
Diagramming and defining logic, Creating classifications and hierarchies, Editing and streamlining content and workflows helps
Process, Information and Content
Complicated processes need to be diagrammed through process maps, user journeys and task flows
How is the user going to navigate?
I think of content before I design. So even if content doesn’t exist, the high level intent of the content is documented
What, where and how we are going to display the content?
Wireframe, Prototype and Design
Wireframes generate conversation between the team and are good conversation starters
Easy to modify, edit and reiterate
Creating a high fidelity prototype shows how the product is going to work
If it doesn’t feel all right, then it’s back to the drawing board
Directing and finessing interactions and liaising with the Development team early on in the process
Creating visual and functional harmony based on style guide
Test and present
User testing is very important. It helps in identifying showstoppers early on in the process. Rapid prototyping, quick and dirty usability tests, remote usability tests all come in handy during this time.
Testing prototypes with end users and iterating based on what works and what doesn’t
Sonal Nigam 