Prototyping when UX Team is not available
In many organization getting availability of the UX Team is such a pain that many Projects and Product Development stall their Discovery phase till a UX Team member is assigned; we end up having scarcely enough UX Talent due to various others reasons. This is also a classic problem in organization working in Siloed team a.k.a. Component Team structure.
One reason frequently mentioned is - what if we hire more and we don't have work for them in the near future?! UX (like Security) is an ongoing and continuous process which your Product needs; however many engagements fail to address this basic construct.
After speaking with many Product Managers and Delivery Managers, feels like this is a problem every engagement is struggling to address during the Discovery/Planning phase. To avoid this you can do the below things:
- Engage your organization's UX Team as early as possible and set expectations (Best)
- Hire UX Talent exclusively for your engagement
- Outsource the UX completely to a Channel partner (or your Supplier/Vendor)
- Do It Yourself
Keeping the pace of your engagement is important
You may be playing the role of Product Owner/Manager, Delivery Manager, Scrum Master, Business Analyst or Solution Manager - who has a skin in the game and you need to elevate yourself to keep the pace of your engagement on track.
UI Wireframing is a key part of a UX experience designing process — it's an important and urgent during the Discovery phase
In my previous work experience while being part of pre-sales when we pitch a Solution to our Clients we ought to do things quick and something valid which aligns with the Product Vision, we don't always a privilege of having an UX team member full-time. We had to have a broad T-shaped skillset and the push to get things done.
UX Prototyping is a skill, specialization and a talent not many have that creative uptick to get involved in UX prototyping during the Discovery phase - I understand. However, let me tell you.. till you get a dedicated person; don't wait. Get Prototyping done - do it yourself and validate assumptions with stakeholders. We can enhance it as we learn more - isn't Empiricism all about learning by doing.
Start with Paper Prototyping first (always)
Let me present you some samples which I have done for course assignment which I did couple of years ago. This is really good start.
Focus on Functional Prototypes next
You may use tools like:
- Pencil https://pencil.evolus.vn/ (Free Open Source)
- Invision https://www.invisionapp.com/
- Balsamiq https://balsamiq.com/
- Mockflow https://www.mockflow.com/
- MS Powerpoint (YES!)
These are the tools which I have personally used, there are plenty out there.
Do not forget Contextual Interviews and Storyboarding
Let me present you a sample which I have done for course assignment which I did couple of years ago. This is not mandatory but helps to visualize a Scenario.
Now it's time for you to Level up! All the very best!
