[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bold Blog Post Content” module_class=”blog-post-content-bold” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”30px” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||40px|” text_orientation=”left” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Post Content” module_class=”blog-post-main-content” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Muli|300|||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”30px” header_2_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”27px” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_line_height_tablet=”26px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_line_height_phone=”20px” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
From technology to food to entertainment and everything in between, we crave \u2013 okay, we demand \u2013 that we get things faster and better than we had them before. And the user experience (UX) field is no exception. Stakeholders want answers quickly and more efficiently, with many adopting the approach of lean UX and rapid prototyping.<\/p>\n
If done right, lean sprints and a rapid approach can be a big win for companies looking to determine their customer\u2019s needs and create engaging and thoughtful design quickly. They get a team moving in the right direction and produce prototypes that can be tested to deliver valuable and tangible user feedback for iteration.<\/p>\n
Sounds great, right? It is \u2013 if done properly. But when done incorrectly or without proper principles in place, it can be a big mistake. After all, saving time, budget, and\/or resources doesn\u2019t measure up if you just end up where you started. As Director of Design for Motivate Design, a UX research and design agency, I know this all too well, seeing companies thrive when we deliver, and watching others make costly mistakes when they don\u2019t commit to applying UX principles to a project.<\/p>\n
Recently we worked with a company who pulled us in to further conceptualize, design, and deliver a proof of concept prototype, using a rapid and lean approach. The development company was seeking an adjunct team to assist with a new client \u2013 post Kickoff. Knowing we were joining the process a bit late, we followed the already established lead, generating a prototype to test with users. However, the client wanted more, asking for us to be brought back to work our \u201cUX magic.\u201d But starting from scratch wasn\u2019t within the agreed upon scope with the company that hired us. Somewhere between hiring us and the prototype being produced, a lot was lost in translation and expectations across the board were skewed.<\/p>\n
We delivered exactly what we had been hired to deliver, following all the necessary steps to ensure the prototype met all qualifiers and client needs. So, if all the boxes were checked in following the scope of the effort, why did it feel like a suboptimal result?<\/p>\n
Can I Kick It? <\/span><\/h2>\nWithout being a part of the Kickoff, we were left without a clear understanding of the expectations of the overall scope or the tools necessary to manage those expectations. It became more and more clear that the Kickoff was essentially an order-taking session with the client and was not met with an approach to set tone, map expectations, and establish end user questioning. The processes and protocols established by the development company we were brought in by, sadly, failed the client.<\/p>\n
When we start a project we use our initial meeting to implement a Discovery Workshop. This works not only as the Kickoff meeting, but also as a way to establish the structure of the project and set the tone. When conducting Lean UX, specifics need to be established early on as there is no time to waste in mistakingly going down the wrong path. So going into the Discovery Workshop, the UX team should be properly and thoroughly prepared and create an agenda that will serve to keep everyone on track and focused. It\u2019s imperative to determine what particular issues a company is facing and what they are hoping to accomplish, as well as set clear expectations for the execution and implementation of the engagement. It\u2019s also important to define the metrics to measure the success of the project, holding all parties to an accountability threshold they can easily understand.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Blog Post Top Quote” src=”https:\/\/motivatedesign.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/blog-post-top-quote.png” _builder_version=”3.6″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”80px|||” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” align_tablet=”center” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Quote Text” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|on||||||” text_text_color=”#f3653b” text_font_size=”40px” text_line_height=”1em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” custom_padding=”|||0px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”35px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” module_class=”blockquote” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
Lean UX isn\u2019t magic. It\u2019s work \u2013 a defined process<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Blog Post Bottom Quote” src=”https:\/\/motivatedesign.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/blog-post-bottom-quote.png” _builder_version=”3.6″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||50px|” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” align_tablet=”center” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Post Content” module_class=”blog-post-main-content” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Muli|300|||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”30px” header_2_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”27px” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_line_height_tablet=”26px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_line_height_phone=”20px” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
Stay in the Loop<\/span><\/h2>\nLean UX follows a basic structure with a build > test > iterate loop, but the processes established in the spaces in between are just as valuable and necessary. While they can be elastic in nature, with elements compressed or extended when necessary, deferring from the approach can create muddled results and manifest confusion with teams and stakeholders.<\/p>\n
At Motivate, we pride ourselves on the diligence of our execution, following our established protocols without deferring to simplified processes for ease of design, or skipping requisite steps in the name of efficiency. Regardless of the length of time of the engagement, we always follow the same proven playbook. And we get results.<\/p>\n
The Early Bird \u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nDuring our recent experience, being pulled into the process after the initial scope was established and key principle steps were skipped, there were opportunities created for miscommunication and little we could do to remedy the missteps taken.<\/p>\n
One of the benefits of a lean approach is the ability to pull in a design team early in the process. Leaner sprints and rapid prototyping mean time and money saved with valuable user feedback provided to produce end design that maps to a positive experience. So, before a company takes time developing or approaching a problem, they should first seek a skilled UX team and bring them into the discussion. Conversely, bringing development representation into the early conversation is also important. Lean UX is a team effort.<\/p>\n
Work Your Magic<\/span><\/h2>\nLean UX isn\u2019t magic. It\u2019s work \u2013 a defined process. We can turn around quick prototypes, and deliver great design, but we can\u2019t skip steps and expect to deliver superior results.<\/p>\n
In the past, we worked with a client who brought in our team to supply a design system that could easily be pulled in by their internal team for current and future projects. The streamlining of this activity saved and continues to save their team additional resources and time with each new project launch. But they still expressed frustration at times, wondering, \u201cIf we can\u2019t turn this around quicker, why even have a design system?\u201d<\/p>\n
Design systems provide the foundational language and components to put it all together, but it doesn\u2019t establish the core questions needed to create a mindful design. Without it, all you\u2019re creating is a template, plugging in data and simply hoping to create an exceptional experience for users. But you must still define an underlying thesis and end user. And, unfortunately, there is no magic wand or design system that can replace these basic principles.<\/p>\n
Noticing a theme? No matter how you slice it, no matter what angle we look at it from, it all comes back to the principle systems. Without them, UX is full of fancy terminology, post-it notes, and experimentation. But with them, UX is a structured discipline that can foster creative and powerful design through proven methods and meaningful user interaction.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking to validate an idea or business model, seeking data to advance a bigger budget, have pieces of your current product you want to improve upon, or simply facing issues within your team aligning on a direction, lean UX and rapid prototyping can help. Just be sure you\u2019re working with a company that sticks to their core principles and processes, even when they\u2019re doing it in a fraction of the time.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Blog Post Top Quote” src=”https:\/\/motivatedesign.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/blog-post-top-quote.png” _builder_version=”3.6″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”80px|||” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” align_tablet=”center” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Quote Text” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|on||||||” text_text_color=”#f3653b” text_font_size=”40px” text_line_height=”1em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” custom_padding=”|||0px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”35px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” module_class=”blockquote” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
Lean UX isn\u2019t magic. It\u2019s work \u2013 a defined process<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Blog Post Bottom Quote” src=”https:\/\/motivatedesign.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/blog-post-bottom-quote.png” _builder_version=”3.6″ max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||50px|” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” align_tablet=”center” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Post Content” module_class=”blog-post-main-content” _builder_version=”3.19.12″ text_font=”Muli|300|||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”30px” header_2_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”27px” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_line_height_tablet=”26px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_line_height_phone=”20px” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n Lean UX follows a basic structure with a build > test > iterate loop, but the processes established in the spaces in between are just as valuable and necessary. While they can be elastic in nature, with elements compressed or extended when necessary, deferring from the approach can create muddled results and manifest confusion with teams and stakeholders.<\/p>\n At Motivate, we pride ourselves on the diligence of our execution, following our established protocols without deferring to simplified processes for ease of design, or skipping requisite steps in the name of efficiency. Regardless of the length of time of the engagement, we always follow the same proven playbook. And we get results.<\/p>\n During our recent experience, being pulled into the process after the initial scope was established and key principle steps were skipped, there were opportunities created for miscommunication and little we could do to remedy the missteps taken.<\/p>\n One of the benefits of a lean approach is the ability to pull in a design team early in the process. Leaner sprints and rapid prototyping mean time and money saved with valuable user feedback provided to produce end design that maps to a positive experience. So, before a company takes time developing or approaching a problem, they should first seek a skilled UX team and bring them into the discussion. Conversely, bringing development representation into the early conversation is also important. Lean UX is a team effort.<\/p>\n Lean UX isn\u2019t magic. It\u2019s work \u2013 a defined process. We can turn around quick prototypes, and deliver great design, but we can\u2019t skip steps and expect to deliver superior results.<\/p>\n In the past, we worked with a client who brought in our team to supply a design system that could easily be pulled in by their internal team for current and future projects. The streamlining of this activity saved and continues to save their team additional resources and time with each new project launch. But they still expressed frustration at times, wondering, \u201cIf we can\u2019t turn this around quicker, why even have a design system?\u201d<\/p>\n Design systems provide the foundational language and components to put it all together, but it doesn\u2019t establish the core questions needed to create a mindful design. Without it, all you\u2019re creating is a template, plugging in data and simply hoping to create an exceptional experience for users. But you must still define an underlying thesis and end user. And, unfortunately, there is no magic wand or design system that can replace these basic principles.<\/p>\n Noticing a theme? No matter how you slice it, no matter what angle we look at it from, it all comes back to the principle systems. Without them, UX is full of fancy terminology, post-it notes, and experimentation. But with them, UX is a structured discipline that can foster creative and powerful design through proven methods and meaningful user interaction.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to validate an idea or business model, seeking data to advance a bigger budget, have pieces of your current product you want to improve upon, or simply facing issues within your team aligning on a direction, lean UX and rapid prototyping can help. Just be sure you\u2019re working with a company that sticks to their core principles and processes, even when they\u2019re doing it in a fraction of the time.<\/p>\nStay in the Loop<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Early Bird \u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Work Your Magic<\/span><\/h2>\n
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