Lean UX is an approach to UX design that emphasizes validating designs with customers early and iterating quickly based on feedback, rather than spending a long time documenting specifications. It is inspired by Lean Startup and Agile development methods. The goal is to surface the true nature of the user experience faster and with less emphasis on traditional deliverables. Lean UX advocates rapid prototyping of key assumptions to get customer feedback to evolve the design rapidly.

1. Lean UX Getting out of the deliverables business http://img.blog.yahoo.co.kr/ybi/1/1c/f6/cliffordmlarsen/folder/717992/img_717992_1359004_3?1103025176.jpg

2. Who is this guy? I’m just doing this for the lanyards. Jeff Gothelf Currently: Director of UX at TheLadders.com Previously: Publicis Modem, Webtrends, AOL, Fidelity and an assortment of startups Blog: www.jeffgothelf.com/blog Twitter: @jboogie Email: jgothelf@theladders.com #LeanUX

3. In the beginning… UX began with Information Architecture which no one had ever heard of #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.ucdesigners.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/stockxpertcom_id21589-world1-1024x794.jpg

4. Deliverables helped define the practice And this was good #LeanUX | @jboogie

5. IA evolved and expanded into IxD and her sisters Darwinism at work #LeanUX | @jboogie

6. Deliverables helped define the practice And this was good #LeanUX | @jboogie

7. Value has ultimately been placed on the deliverable Not on the experience being created #LeanUX | @jboogie

8. With interactive experiences evolving rapidly The deliverable is just not enough #LeanUX | @jboogie

9. Lean UX Inspired by Lean Startup and Agile development theories, it’s the practice of bringing the true nature of our work to light faster, with less emphasis on deliverables and greater focus on the actual experience being designed. #LeanUX | @jboogie

11. Working software over comprehensive documentation

12. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

13. Responding to change over following a planLean Lean Startup initially advocates the creation of rapid prototypes designed to test market assumptions, and uses customer feedback to evolve them much faster than via more traditional software engineering practices. #LeanUX | @jboogie

14. It goes a little something like this… Look familiar? Just the UX process Prototype Concept Validate Internally Test Externally Learn from user behavior Iterate #LeanUX | @jboogie

15. You can’t hide behind your monitor any more! Seriously. It’s time to come out. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/yamagatacamille/4799648425/sizes/l/

16. Get it out there. Fast. In public. (Yes, where people can see it.) #LeanUX | @jboogie

17. What Lean UX is NOT #LeanUX | @jboogie

19. The only thing being removed is waste. You leave that stuff laying around and it starts to stink! #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/mims/326748812/sizes/l/

20. This is NOT design-by-committee! We all know where that leads #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/mims/326748812/sizes/l/

21. What Lean UX is… #LeanUX | @jboogie

22. Control You’re still in charge #LeanUX | @jboogie

23. But I’m giving up control of my work! You’re not, actually. It just feels that way. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/alshepmcr/4561517216/sizes/l/

24. You don’t need “The Spec” to keep control It’s the last mile of the value you bring to the team #LeanUX | @jboogie http://talkingtraffic.org/wp-content/images/stack_documents.jpg

25. If you spend 3 months perfecting a design only to find out it fails to meet customer and/or business needs, you’ve just wasted 3 months of your life, not to mention your team’s #LeanUX | @jboogie

26. Designers shouldn’t be expected to get it right the first time Nobody else has to From Design Criticism and the Creative Process by Cassie McDaniel on A List Apart, 11 Jan, 2011. http://www.alistapart.com/articles/design-criticism-creative-process/ #LeanUX | @jboogie

27. You are the “Keeper of the Vision” The greater goal of the design is YOUR responsibility #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photoshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/kubina/1386979654/sizes/l/

28. Momentum Everyone’s engaged. Everyone’s motivated. #LeanUX | @jboogie

29. Keep everybody moving forward Your clients, stakeholders, your design and you. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/37541410@N03/3901861703/sizes/l/

30. Quality Don’t compromise #LeanUX | @jboogie

31. “Speed first. Aesthetics second.” – Jason Fried, 37Signals.com #LeanUX | @jboogie

32. “Going for the bronze.” – A Creative Director I used to work with #LeanUX | @jboogie

33. What about the quality of the design? Iterations mean quality continually improves. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://stockthemind.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/project-cartoon.jpg

34. Feasibility Make sure it can be built (and built well) #LeanUX | @jboogie

35. Prototype it! But not all of it. #LeanUX | @jboogie hthttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQ4dc8irsc0/S_TZkx7B_3I/AAAAAAAAAM0/lwh7NTbtKMo/s1600/PopGlider+assembled+2.jpgtp://www.flickr.com/photos/alshepmcr/4561517216/sizes/l/

36. Once validated, demo to the team. Presto! Instant documentation (no additional deliverable needed). No additional deliverables are needed! #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/koolwaaij/152426460/sizes/o/

37. Then show it to your customers. Keep it light and cheap. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/forakerdesign/3657336793/sizes/l/

38. Fill in the gaps What did you not think about? #LeanUX | @jboogie

39. The more you talk about it The more you realize what’s missing #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/adysmiles/4822749055/sizes/l/

40. Can it be done? A tale of two cultures. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/kadelmann/3564028694/sizes/z/

41. The internal software/web design shop. Well within your grasp. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.istudyathes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/microsoft-20team-201978.jpg

42. You are in the problem-solving business and you don’t solve problems with design documentation. You solve them with elegant, efficient and sophisticated software. #LeanUX | @jboogie

43. The interactive agency. Tougher sell. Worth it in the end. #LeanUX | @jboogie

44. Agencies are in the deliverables business. #LeanUX | @jboogie

45. Recapping the “internal” Lean UX process…. Remember? Just the UX process Concept Validate Internally Test Externally Learn from user behavior Iterate Prototype #LeanUX | @jboogie

46. For agencies it looks slightly different Give your clients the power. They like that. Validate w/client Validate w/client Concept Prototype Iterate Learn from user behavior #LeanUX | @jboogie

47. Consultants are specialized mini-agencies Success with Lean UX will be determined by attention level #LeanUX | @jboogie

48. Reducing deliverables efforts reduces revenue In theory… Fewer deliverables Fewer billable hours $$$$ Project delivered faster Happier, more empowered client Repeat customer #LeanUX | @jboogie

49. Invest in your client’s success It shows the confidence you have in your work #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/19638298@N00/143127498/sizes/z/

50. Is this good for every project? Use it where it makes sense. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.krackblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/david_hasselhoff_gary_coleman-e1275077640952.jpg

51. Functional, task-flow projects work well. There’s a clear end goal. #LeanUX | @jboogie

52. Highly experiential marketing projects will struggle. Time to ideate and create options is essential. #LeanUX | @jboogie

53. What about content heavy experiences? Some up front planning is necessary. #LeanUX | @jboogie

54. Distributed teams do it remotely! If they’re a part of you, it’s on! If not, not bloody likely. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2076450897_be1b8ace7c.jpg

55. Case Study 100 Days of Collaboration #LeanUX | @jboogie

56. Problem Statement: “You’re like Monster, but I have to pay for it.” #LeanUX | @jboogie

57. 3 days, 3 themes: Acquisition and conversion Resume services A human in every interaction #LeanUX | @jboogie

58. #LeanUX | @jboogie

59. #LeanUX | @jboogie

60. #LeanUX | @jboogie

61. #LeanUX | @jboogie

62. #LeanUX | @jboogie

63. How do I get started? Here’s one way. Get everyone involved early. #LeanUX | @jboogie

64. Can you guess who sketched this? The answer will shock you! #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/janekeeler/4677093058/sizes/l/

65. Can you guess who sketched this? The answer will shock you! #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/janekeeler/4677093058/sizes/l/

66. Can you guess who sketched this? The answer will shock you! #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/janekeeler/4677093058/sizes/l/

68. Everybody draws, presents and critiques

69. Refine ideas through 3 rounds

70. Generate tons of raw ideas

71. Huge headstart for UX

72. Early team-wide alignment

73. Team-wide feeling of ownership#LeanUX | @jboogie

74. Start small. 6 of your best ideas as fast as possible. #LeanUX | @jboogie

75. Refine to 3 or 4 better ideas. Add detail. #LeanUX | @jboogie

76. And once more to one, final, detailed idea. Let your one best idea shine. #LeanUX | @jboogie

77. Designers are used to being heroes. Lean UX is distinctly, anti-hero. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.abegoodman.com/Images/greatest-american-hero.jpg

78. This is an evolution. Not a revolution. Evolve to stay relevant. #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/freejay3/2387714157/sizes/l/

79. Let’s get back to the experience design business. It’s where it’s at (as the kids say) #LeanUX | @jboogie http://www.flickr.com/photos/expressmonorail/3057998218/sizes/l/

80. Thanks! Ask me some questions. Here. Now. Or later. jgothelf@theladders.com @jboogie www.jeffgothelf.com/blog www.slideshare.net/jgothelf bit.ly/LeanUX #LeanUX | @jboogie