UX work in an Agile (or almost Agile) environment can sometimes feel like 'Design by Committee'. The Tribune UX team would like to share some tips, thoughts and strategies we use internally, to maintain the sanctity of a participatory design environment. We will stay as practical as possible, using recent projects to walk through what we do. The goal is to leave you with some key takeaways to try in your workplace.

1. July IXDA 2012 @ Tribune Company
DESIGN BY COMMITTEE
Maintaining Sanity in an Agile Environment
Pradeep Nayar
UX Principal
Tribune Company
Kevin Leebroderick
UX Architect
Tribune Company

2. We are a
MEDIA
COMPANY
23
TV STATIONS
8
NEWSPAPERS
50+
WEBSITES

3. 160
years
old

6. PRIOR UX WORK
5

7. L.A. TIMES
IPAD APP

8. L.A. TIMES
WINDOWS
PHONE 7 APP

9. CRIME L.A.
ANDROID
APP

10. CHICAGO TRIBUNE
WINDOWS 8
APP

11. Mobile
Social
CONCEPTS Tablet
TV
Web
Strategy
10

12. CHICAGO
PRIOR UX WORK TRIBUNE
RESPONSIVE
SITE
11

13. OUR GOAL
“DESIGN BY COMMITTEE”
12

14. OUR GOAL
PARTICIPATORY DESIGN
“DESIGN BY COMMITTEE”
12

15. Redesigning the Stop sign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwqPYeTSYng

16. WE’RE AGILE!
...almost
14

17. AGILE = COLLABORATION
15

18. 16

19. LET’S
BRAINSTORM

20. CHALLENGE
Brainstorm meetings
Lack focus
Progress too quickly to a solution
without exploring options
Most powerful, loud and/or
obnoxious person wins!
People get excited about an existing solution
rather than solving the problem
Some solutions are not cohesive
with the overall experience
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21. SOLUTION
“Brainstorm” in isolation
Embrace divergent thinking;
conduct individual exploration
Have a designated facilitator
Conduct a design studio, not a BRAINSTORM MEETING!!!
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22. THE CREW
DEVELOPERS
PRODUCT MANAGER
TEAM UX
STAKEHOLDERS
PROJECT MANAGER
QUALITY ASSURANCE

23. SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
DEVELOPERS
PRODUCT MANAGER
TEAM UX
STAKEHOLDERS
PROJECT MANAGER
QUALITY ASSURANCE

24. TEAM UX

25. SPOILER ALERT
In an agile environment...
You are a design facilitator
25

26. CHALLENGE
Not enough time
26

27. SOLUTION
START
SKETCHING!!!
27

28. NO EXCUSES!

29. SOLUTION
SKETCH
many ideas
PRESENT
internally
rinse & repeat
CRITIQUE
not gut reaction
PROTOTYPE
Test it!

30. Believe in your solution
You can’t sell it if you don’t believe it.
30

31. SPOILER ALERT
Never go alone
Always tag team.
+
VISUAL DESIGNER UX ARCHITECT
31

32. PRODUCT MANAGER

33. They are your closest ally but...
There is a grey area - work it out!
33

34. CHALLENGE
Let’s do what the N.Y. Times does...
“Follow the leader” approach.
34

35. SOLUTION
Explain why it may not work
Time to show your expertise on interface design.
Focus on the problem you are trying to solve
and question the solution.
Look at other examples to force a conversation.
35

36. CHALLENGE
They might try to design the interface
Let them sketch ideas.
36

37. SOLUTION
Be open to various forms
of communication
Remind them that your job is to make them look good.
37

38. They help push hard features forward
It’s important to maintain daily communication with them.
38

39. PROJECT MANAGER

40. They are usually the scrum master
A good project manager can make or break a project.
40

41. CHALLENGE
Over promises on deliverables
Trying to please an impatient stakeholder.
41

42. SOLUTION
Be upfront and realistic about estimates
There is no such thing as over-communication.
Build on existing trust and confidence.
42

43. DEVELOPERS

44. Best friend or worst enemy
They make your ideas come to life.
44

45. CHALLENGE
Like reuse of code & efficiency
Solutions oriented around technology
rather than the needs of users.
45

46. Reality of agile development
Stuff always changes.
46

47. SOLUTION
It’s all about building a better product
Walk-through the interface using specific scenarios.
Take the time to explain the thought behind your design.
Try to include them early in a solution.
Thank them for a job well done!
47

48. QUALITY ASSURANCE

49. If UX is the quarterback...
QA is the receiver.
49

50. CHALLENGE
QA only tests functionality
50

51. SOLUTION
Set expectations & keep in touch
Talk about a holistic testing approach.
Conduct occasional walk-throughs with them.
Need to emphasis how important
they are to the project.
The success of the project depends on them.
51

52. STAKEHOLDERS

53. Talk to them in a language
they understand
Talk about customers, not users.
53

54. SPOILER ALERT
UX also needs to think
about the business
User needs + business needs = $$$ for everyone.
54

55. CHALLENGE
Dealing with an
alpha personality
55

56. SOLUTION
Let’s face it.
You’re not going to win, but...
Don’t be scared - they’re not going to bite.
Figure out what makes them tick.
Find an influencer
and become their buddy.
56

57. SPOILER ALERT
Always present your work
Never email a deliverable and assume
they understand your lengthy email.
57

58. SPOILER ALERT
SELL
Always present your work
Never email a deliverable and assume
they understand your lengthy email.
57

59. Selling the idea
Consider making it a experience.
Experience Presentation
58

61. Give them options,
but lead them to your choice
Always tell a story.
Solution A Solution B Solution C
Normal
Better
What they
should want

62. What are you selling?
TRUST &
CONFIDENCE
61

63. FINALLY!
It’s not a war
We’re all in this together.
62

64. Thanks!
Get in touch with questions, comments
or other feedback
Pradeep Nayar
prad.nayar@gmail.com
designonmymind
Kevin Leebroderick
kleebroderick@tribune.com
63

65. Special thanks to
Kim Ruelo
Adam Jankowski
Kate Rosendale
Andre Alforque
Trent Sherrell
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