Lean UXSusan Weinschenk, Ph.D.Aka “The Brain Lady”@[email protected]
AgendaLean UX MythsThe Precursor: Lean Start-upLean Strategy Applied to Lean UXImplementing Lean UX
AgendaLean UX MythsThe Precursor: Lean Start-upLean Strategy Applied to Lean UXImplementing Lean UX
Myth #1:
Lean UX = Minimal UX
Myth #2:
Lean UX = UX + Agile
Myth #3:
Lean UX minimizes up front research
Myth #4:
“Regular” UX is a waterfall
Myth #5:
Lean UX is all new
NOT A Myth:
Lean UX puts UX front and center. It’s the vehicle for
implementing new products
AgendaLean UX MythsThe Precursor: Lean Start-upLean Strategy Applied to Lean UXImplementing Lean UX
1997
Lean Startup Concepts
Lean Startup Concepts:
Things Are Different In Times Of Uncertainty
You need a different strategy from “the usual” when you are innovating and/or you are operating in an environment of uncertainty.
start-ups
and
just about everything these days
Definition of Insanity:….Doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting different results
Albert Einstein
Just because things are uncertain doesn’t mean that you
should “just do it”
Goal: Eliminate Uncertainty
“Can this product be built?”
Is the wrong question
Lean Startup Concepts:
Right Questions:
"Should this product be
built?"
“Can we build a sustainable business
around this set of products and services?"
Hypothesis Testing & Experiments
Lean Startup Concepts:
Minimal Viable Product (MVP)
Lean Startup Concepts:
Minimum Viable Product(MVP)
shoesite.com circa 1999
The PivotLean Startup Concepts:
The PivotPersevere Change
Persevere
shoesite.com circa 1999
Changeproduct/service
ORtarget audiencechannel (how you reach them)revenue modelpricingcostspartners
35
37
Changeproduct/service
ORtarget audiencechannel (how you reach them)revenue modelpricingcostspartners
2 + 2 = 10
CollaborateLean Startup Concepts:
Lean Startup Concepts: Lean Startup Concepts:
(GOOTB)
AgendaLean UX MythsThe Precursor: Lean Start-upLean Strategy Applied to Lean UXImplementing Lean UX
Lean ConceptsThings are different in times of uncertaintyQuestion: should this product be built?Hypothesis testing and experimentsMinimal viable productThe pivotCollaborateGOOTB
Lean UX
Vehicle for Lean Start-upor
Apply the principles to UX work in any environment
Lean UX
Vehicle for Product Start
Role of UX person with Lean UX as Vehicle:• quick prototypes for experiments• user test the prototype with the hypotheses in mind• answer whether hypotheses is true or not• quick “just in time” research for experiments/
hypotheses for example, interviewing the target audience, validate a persona, create a task flow
• collaborate with tech and stakeholders• maybe give opinion about pivot• maybe give suggestions about next experiment
Lean UX As Vehicle
Other people may also be helping test hypotheses — marketing, business, tech…
You may not be involved in all experiments
You may or may not be involved in a pivot decision
Lean UX As Vehicle
Lean UX
Lean UX
Persevere Change
Case Study #1Part B
Apply Lean concepts to do UX work in any environment
Lean UX - Any Environment
Research and Discovery:User interviews, field studies, observations, stakeholder interviews, personas, scenarios, task analysis, psychographic research, evaluate competitors
Design:Conceptual model design, information architecture, user interaction design, sketching, wireframing, prototyping
Testing and iteration:User testing
Typical UX Work
Research and Discovery:User interviews, field studies, observations, stakeholder interviews, personas, scenarios, task analysis, psychographic research, evaluate competitors
Typical UX Work
Research and Discovery:Target audience research: Interviews, field studies, observations, stakeholder interviews, personas, scenarios, task analysis, psychographic research, evaluate competitors
Lean:• May do any of these, but only what you need to run
an experiment and test a hypothesis. Then go back and do more as needed
• Minimal documentation for anything you do
Lean UX Version
Design:Conceptual model design, information architecture, user interaction design, sketching, wireframing, prototyping
Typical UX Work
Design:Conceptual model design, information architecture, user interaction design, sketching, wireframing, prototyping
Lean:• Just what you need for an MVP for the particular
hypothesis• Minimal documentation• In collaboration with tech, stakeholders etc
Lean UX Version
Testing and iteration:User testing
Typical UX Work
Testing and iteration:User testing
Lean:Just enough to validate the current hypothesis
Lean UX Version
Especially:
Develop hypotheses and experiments and THEN design
Making pivot decisions about your design after testing the hypotheses
Lean UX Version
Collaborative design is essential
Sketching/Wireframing/Prototyping is critical as the MVP
Continuous feedback loops with customers/users — not just one cycle
Redefining UX Success from a Lean UX viewpoint — it’s as much about what you discard as what you create
Lean UX Version
AgendaLean UX MythsThe Precursor: Lean Start-upLean Strategy Applied to Lean UXImplementing Lean UX
Implementing Lean UX
Same obstacles as implementing ANY UX:
• Rest of team doesn’t know or understand what UX is or why it’s important
• You are a UX team of one and you have to do it all• Missing critical skill set • Don’t have high level support
Add:• Rest of team doesn’t know or understand what LEAN
UX is, how it’s different and why it’s important• Believe one or more of the myths
Implementing Lean UX
Pick a good first project to try it out:
• Not too complex, but fairly high impact• Re-design would be better than a design from
scratch• Be kind to self as you are learning
THANK YOU!
Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D.847-909-5946www.theteamw.com@[email protected]