Mastering UX in Product Development
A Deep Dive into Early-Stage Problem Solving, UX Research, and Innovative Product Design Strategies
Interactive
Practical Experience
Overview
Time
From Nov to Dec 2023, total of 2 related workshops, continuously
Role
Facilitator; Educator
Participants
9 participants including product managers, engineers, and designers.
Goal
Understand the distinctions between UI and UX and how UX integrates into the product development process.
Emphasize early-stage problem definition and propose potential solutions.
Explore qualitative and quantitative UX research tools to execute effective UX studies.
Generate suitable product designs based on the insights gathered.
Final outcome
87.5 %
Growth in UX understanding
92 %
satisfaction
Through assessing the rates, we discovered that prior to the workshop, 40% of attendees had no exposure to usability testing and considered themselves completely unfamiliar with it. However, after the course, 80% felt they understood usability testing well enough to explain it to others who were unfamiliar and could apply it in their daily work.
Main challenge
Participant diversity
Since this is the first instance of the company bringing in an external facilitator for UX courses, there's a level of uncertainty regarding the participants' knowledge and experience with UI/UX, as well as their eagerness to learn.
Activity
Hands-on case study
Open Space
Apply Learnings
Following the goals above, this workshop includes the activities shown below:
Open Space: Introduction to UI and UX.
Understanding UX Tools: Overview of AB testing, usability testing, empathy maps, and competitor surveys.
Problem Definition: Clarifying requirements and issues using POV (Point of View) and HMW (How Might We).
Sharing and Retro: Reflecting on the insights gained during the session.
Progress
In our workshop, my partner and I employ a practical case study to steer participants toward the goal of enhancing the user experience in UberEats purchases. The interactive steps involve:
UX research - Identify and define
Identifying UberEats competitors and conducting a thorough examination of their product features and functions.
Clearly defining the scope and objectives of the enhancement initiative.
UX research - Conduct interviews
Conducting interviews with potential users, encourage them to think aloud.
Utilizing insights gathered from these interviews to construct a comprehensive Empathy Map and Point Of View
Engaging participants in the ideation phase, where we explore solutions through the "How might we" approach.
Presentation
Involved the participants by having them role-play as salespeople for the product, immersing them in the scenario.
Reflection
Quote 1
“I acquired knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods”
Sandy Yin | Engineer
Quote 2
“I improved my interview and communication skills”
Hank Lin | Engineer
Quote 3
“I learned how to effectively using UX skills and tools to identify and clarify user pain points”
Roger Lin| Sales
Learning and takeaways
What did well?
The workshop effectively combine theoretical UI/UX knowledge and practical experience in the development lifecycle.
Participants gained hands-on experience with various UX research tools, enabling them to make informed design decisions.
Throughout the workshop, my partner and I fostered an environment of open communication, encouraging participants to vocalize their thoughts and contribute diverse ideas.
What can be done better?
Incorporating more examples relevant to the participants' familiar products, enhancing their understanding and engagement during the workshop.
Next Steps
Encourage participants to apply the learned techniques in their respective roles.
Provide ongoing support and resources for continued learning in the field of UI/UX.