How to integrate UX research in an Agile process

How to integrate UX research in an Agile process

Studer, M.

Witteman, A. (mentor)
Pasman, G.J. (mentor)
Van Kuijk, J.I. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Design for Interaction

Final Master Project

2013-10-03

Problem Statement The most standard used process for developing software is currently Agile. Agile splits up the design process in so called two week “sprints” thereby making this process fast and efficient for developers. But current methods of usertesting don’t fit with this fast-paced process as, they are time consuming and too extensive. Therefore results from the user tests become mostly “out-dated” and irrelevant for teams. The same was the case at IceMobile, which is Holland’s largest mobile application producer, who developed award winning applications such as the Albert Heijn and the ABN AMBRO application. IceMobile shifted from an agency model to developing own products for the retail sector, making IceMobile responsible for the quality of the user experience (UX) of their products. Having a usertesting process that fitted with their Agile process became important An empirical study was performed with two product teams, which showed developers having little knowledge about and empathy for their users. Result My proposal for IceMobile are the Flags sessions, containing a frequent process where the teams of IceMobile collaboratively analyse and evaluate the feedback of the user, by watching the interview of the UXlab via a live stream connection. With an effective way of clustering all insights and a fast interview process, the whole session only takes 1,5 hour over two days for the whole team. By frequently conducting flag sessions every sprint, the team builds up knowledge, creates more empathy, which makes results become more reliable. The sessions are flexible and take minimum amount of time, making them fit well with the Agile process of IceMobile. The Flag sessions will involve the team in the usertests, thereby reducing the time of the usertesting process while increasing empathy for the user by the team. Therefore the team comes out of the sessions with more inspiration and motivation to change or develop new features for the user.

Agile
UX
software
usertesting
usertest
developers
app
mobile
research
Scrum
user experience
empathy

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5ad41677-3bc8-4b6b-afc5-90dc02851fe9

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2013 Studer, M.