There are various project management platforms used by UX design teams. These platforms typically have five key functions: 1) Task lists; 2) Schedules; 3) File sharing; 4) Communication and; 5) Reporting. Examples of project management platforms include: Jira, Basecamp, Teamwork Projects, Proof Hub, Zoho projects, and the list goes on. Keep in mind that some of these platforms are geared for UX design teams, and others for software development teams.
Although it is a newer discipline the UX Design Manager is ultimately responsible for the creativity, usefulness, and practical solutions that their design teams produce. Further, they must take into account product development that keeps the best interests of stakeholders and their users in mind.
Before a UX project manager jumps into assigning roles to members of the team, their approach should include: 1) Journeys making sense from every angle; 2) Productive team brainstorming; 3) Using inventory lists to generate wireframes; 4) UI elements must be accessible; 5) Identify and repair any usability obstacles; 6) Coherent brand messaging; 7) Consistent voice and tone; 8) Font and color hierarchy; 9) Checking usability on all browsers and devices, and; 10) Getting feedback from users.
As a UX team leader, knowing your teams strengths and weaknesses, having open lines of communication, and holding daily meetings at a specific time, are among the most important things to know, and to do. Making time for your team, keeping a level head, being inclusive, being the voice for your team, taking responsibility for mistakes, and mastering your own skill set are characteristics of excellence in leadership.
UX teams are composed of designers, content strategists, researchers, and front developers. Every member in an area of specialization contributes their feedback to other team members throughout the entire life cycle of a product. Collectively, open lines of communication and constructive cross disciplinary feedback shape product outcomes.
Initial investment in UX design can significantly reduce costs in the future. UX Design and Design Thinking involve research, analysis, and testing. Therefore, possible usability issues, or problems can be identified prior to development, which is far less expensive.
Key Performance Indicators (KPI) offer the best insights into how users interact with a product. This data is used to quickly determine the success of a product, and it measures the following:
1) Task success rate.
2) Time on task.
3) Search vs. Navigation
4) User error rate.
Some studies have shown that "stock" photos and other graphics add little value to a product. This is because most images are not customized to a particular application, nor are they contextualized to facilitate user needs.
Product design is typically regarded as ornamental and focused on making objects look good. In UX, product design revolves around structure and function, as it relates to the needs of users. The toolkit of a good user experience creative is strengthened by solid ethnographic research.
Often questions related to what usability is, as compared to desirability, are brought up in UX design and it is crucial to differentiate the two. A product may look good, but lack utility. Conversely, a product can be useful but lack desirability. The Neilson Norman Group concludes that there are four levels of user experience:
1) Utility - usefulness of a product.
2) Usability - efficiency, safety, memorability, learnability and satisfaction.
3) Desirability - the user wants to use a product in preference to another.
4) Brand Experience - does the customer feel good about the company.