Building a Bridge Between Users and Stakeholders with UX
Background
When Apple’s Don Norman became the first person granted a “User Experience Architect” title in the 1990s, the world did not quite understand the value of UX. Fast forward to 2021: Companies from all industries have invested in the development of UX teams, realizing the advantage of a human-centered design process. However, one thing that remains is the disconnect between stakeholders and users throughout the product building process. At Softrams, we constantly work to connect our clients’ goals with end user needs. In this blog, we outline three tried and tested methods to bridge the gap.
Proven methods to connect users and stakeholders:
- Summarize the HCD journey succinctly
- Align development timelines
- Deploy and test rapid prototypes
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Articulating the Research Journey
The first step of the UX process is to align the product team and stakeholders with a clear and concise version of the research plan. Our HCD teams ensure the viability of this deliverable by condensing our research into a one-pager. If your stakeholder doesn’t understand your one-pager, they are less likely to engage in the journey.
Aligning Timelines
In the past, product developers often ignored the timing of the UX team’s process. We work closely with our product analysts, project managers, and lead developers to stay aligned by launching routine update meetings. These coworking sessions help build trust and credibility with key stakeholders.
Deploying Rapid Prototypes
Building and testing new ideas is an exciting part of our role. We work closely within our agile teams to build prototypes that help us validate our assumptions.
Conclusion
The most integral element in connecting clients with users is communication. Beyond defining their own goals, stakeholders must be actively looped into the research regarding their target audience and user needs. Alignment is integral to a successful product development process.
