The document describes a workshop on user research skills for teams without dedicated designers. It covers the five steps of user research: identifying needs, preparing sessions, running sessions, analyzing results, and sharing findings. It provides guidance on note-taking, facilitating sessions, and incorporating research into agile processes. The workshop demonstrates how to write a discussion guide and practice facilitation. It emphasizes that research should provide actionable insights and add value to the product.
ARM Talk @ Rejekts - Will ARM be the new Mainstream in our Data Centers_.pdf
Deliver:agile2018 - basic user research skills for non-designers
1. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Skills for a balanced team: basic
user research for non-designers
WORKSHOP led by Sophie FREIERMUTH, Baguette UX
Monday 29 April 2018, Austin, TX.
2. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
In this 90 minutes workshop…
• The 5 steps of user research
• Note-taking skills to efficiently contribute to research
• Basics of facilitating a session
• How user research can fit in agile cadences
5. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
User Research
• a real and tangible impact on
the direction of the product
my team is working on
Research
• data collection and recording
• application of cognitive
capacity
• principles and theories of how
things work
Specifics of researching users & products
6. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Types of user research
• Exploratory
• What are the problems/needs of the user?
• Validation & performance
• Does our solution/idea solve (well) their problems?
• Usability & accessibility
• Can they use the solution?
7. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Research areas that brings useful insights
• The past
• The present
• Usage of something tangible, and ensuing reactions/emotions
• Values, biases, preconceptions and mental models
8. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
How you can research without a researcher
on the team
1. Only engage into research that will deliver valuable
knowledge:
• directly actionable (keep/ amend/ discard)
OR
• critically required to make decisions (stop/ start/
continue)
10. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
How you can research without a researcher
on the team
3. Make sure the research will add value: “we know what we
will do once we know it works/doesn’t
11. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
The 5 steps of user research
1 2 3 4 5
identify
what the
team
needs to
know
prepare
the
research
sessions
run the
research
sessions
analyse
the
research
sessions
share
the
findings
12. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
What steps are often forgotten?
1 2 3 4 5
identify
what the
team
needs to
know
prepare
the
research
sessions
run the
research
sessions
analyse
the
research
sessions
share
the
findings
13. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
So far in the workshop…
• The 5 steps of user research
• Note-taking skills to efficiently contribute to research
• Basics of facilitating a session
• How user research can fit in agile cadences
15. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
We will narrow our focus
1 2 3 4 5
identify
what the
team
needs to
know
prepare
the
research
sessions
run the
research
sessions
analyse
the
research
sessions
share
the
findings
21. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Bad and Good notes
Nice!
He likes it
P312:07
[using the session
scheduler] / T4
I have enough info to
decide which sessions
are interesting but
where’s the save button?
22. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Good notes
P312:07
[using the session
scheduler] / T4
I have enough info to
decide which sessions
are interesting but
where’s the save button?
time stamp Participant unique reference
Task unique reference
verbatim quote - shorthand is ok!
24. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Exercise context
• You are on a small team launching a new OS for PCs
• You are going to test the first prototype with a few users
• What the team wants to learn: Do users ‘get’ at a glance the
revolutionary interface? Can users do their usual tasks easily?
Is the interface accessible enough?
25. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Session 1: Jennifer, a “highly computer-savvy professional”. She works
as a sales manager in New Jersey. She is married with 2 kids, and is
very familiar with your competitor’s product, “Whindows 7”.
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=4cMVKW-fR1M
TAKE THE NOTES YOU NEED FOR SUCCESSFUL
RESEARCH
26. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Why notes are important
• No one will ever watch again the session recordings
• Notes will be refered to for a while
• Analysis will be skewed by what was noted, and how good
notes are
• Great notes can really help stay on track
27. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
So far in the workshop…
• The 5 steps of user research
• Note-taking skills to efficiently contribute to research
• Basics of facilitating a test
• How user research can fit in agile cadences
29. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
The point of facilitation
1. To enable actions and comments that will form the raw data
for analysis
2. To ensure relevant completion with minimal biases
3. To provide support when things go wrong
30. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
How to facilitate: making the
participant talk
• Be wanting to hear what they have to say, however “bad”
• Angle your body towards them and lean in *slightly*
• Be relaxed, speak slowly, breathe, pause at the end of
sentences.
• Encourage them to continue talking: soft “mmhh”, soft “yeah”,
silence
31. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
How to facilitate: making the
participant say it all
• Give them time to answer then develop - wait attentively.
• 5 x why
• People, time, location, context, sequence
• Ask about the (recent) past, never about the future
• Stay neutral at all times
be aware the person may disclose information you are uncomfortable with
(health issues, bereavement, drug use, opposite values, criminal past…)
32. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Participants
• Recruitment is time consumming (1-3+ weeks)
• Be picky JUST ENOUGH
• Never use proxys, go find the actual people (customer/user…)
• There is no magic number of participants that give you perfect
insights - assess how your learning is progressing, stop when you
start hearing allways the same things (then do something about it)
33. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
The discussion guide or test protocole
• Helps consistency across research sessions
• Ensures you don’t forget anything
• Can be adhered to rigidly, or used loosely depending on what
the participant is saying (if you learn something new, you
won’t have questions about it!)
34. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
When testing a product/prototype
• Hand out something the participant can use on their own
• Issue realistic goal-based instructions
“You told me you like to plan your conference day by
choosing the sessions ahead - please show me how you do it
with this programme”
• Record everything
36. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Create your test protocole
• List in order the topics/product features you want to explore
• Add above an introduction cheat sheet
• Add below a facilitation cheat sheet
37. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Practice writing a test protocole
• Open your favourite at-work-for-work app on your phone
(prepare to show it to a stranger!)
• Pretend you’re on the team for that app
• List in order 3 topics/product features you want to explore with
potential users in the “active professionals” category
38. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Add cues for yourself
• Pause them before they click: What do you expect to see?
• User makes a funny face:Tell me about what just happened?
• As they seem done: What’s next?
• After any interaction: Stay here a moment and share your thoughts
• What can we remove?
• What’s missing for you?
39. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
This:
• Believe the product is faulty AND the user is right
• Ignore everything that works well, focus on what doesn’t
• Research is never a compliments fishing expedition
40. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
So far in the workshop…
• The 5 steps of user research
• Note-taking skills to efficiently contribute to research
• Basics of facilitating a test
• How user research can fit in agile cadences
42. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
The product lifecycle
43. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
👻
Research in the product cycle
44. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
Risk
Product, Research and Risk
45. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
Investment
Product, Research and investment
46. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
Revenue
Product, Research and Revenue
47. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
C Stages Overview
all the PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
on; how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
eliverables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
o these three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
Can you identify a core user
problem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
Proposed user need
Strategic fit
Business priority
Size of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
What is the PLC?
Stages Overview
e PLC Stages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
how long each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
rables, Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ese three stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Idea Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
n you identify a core user
oblem in a target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
oposed user need
ategic fit
siness priority
e of market
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
at is the PLC?
ages Overview
tages on two pages with a breakdown showing, for each stage, the team
g each stage could / should take; the key governance questions, governance
Efficacy questions and deliverables.
ee stages - Idea, Explore and Validate - as THE LEFT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Explore Validate
Anyone 2-4 People Small team
Days 2-8 weeks 2-6 months
ntify a core user
target market?
Are there real customers who
get value from your concept?
Is there a viable business model
for this product?
Can you demonstrate product /
market fit or a validated business
model?
er need
ority
et
Evidence of need validation
Early adopter signed up
Initial Business Model
Baseline leading indicators
Evidence of solution validation
Active Early Adopter
Validated Business Model
P&L and financial projections
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
Max
Maxi
e PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Pla
Stage Grow Sustain Retir
Who Larger team BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual
gleaned from
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / Us
Strategic valu
Financial impa
discontinuing
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possib
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can
gleaned from the busin
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metric
Strategic value to Pears
Financial impact of
discontinuing the produ
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
PLC Stages Overview (cont)
We refer to these three stages - Grow, Sustain and Retire, as the RIGHT SIDE:
PLC Playbook 2.1
Stage Grow Sustain Retire
Who Larger team BAU BAU
How long Months / Years Years As soon as possible
Governance
Questions
How fast are you growing the
business at scale?
Are you delivering revenue and
outcomes whilst reducing
costs?
What residual value can be
gleaned from the business?
Customer / Learner metrics
Key financial metrics
Cost structure
Customer / User Metrics
Continued strategic Alignment
Profitability & Margins
Customer / User Metrics
Strategic value to Pearson
Financial impact of
discontinuing the product
DECISION
DECISION
DECISION
What is the PLC?
Investment
Risk
Product, Research, Risk, Investment and Revenue
48. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
My current project
Apr
18 May
18 Jun
18 Jul
18 Aug
18 Sep
18 Oct
18 Nov
18 Dec
18 Jan
19 Feb
19 Mar
19 Apr
19 May
19 Jun
19 Jul
19 Aug
19 Sep
19
User
Group
4
research
and
workshops
scheduling
research
sessions
User
Group
1
-‐
Location
1
research
session
User
Group
1
-‐
Location
2
research
session
User
Group
1
stakeholders
workshop
User
group
2
-‐
Locations
1
&
2research
&
workshop
User
Group
3
research
&
workshop
User
Group
2
-‐
Locations
1,
2
&
3
research
&
workshop
Beginning
of
iterative
prototype
design
and
build
Beginning
of
iterative
prototype
testing
with
users
Beginning
of
annotating
validated
design
elements
Beginning
of
creation
of
JIRA
tickets
for
development
Beginning
of
collaboration
with
dev
&
QA
over
build
of
stories
Beginning
of
testing
of
built
elements
with
users
Suggested
deadline
for
research
and
design
work
Suggested
beginning
of
scaling,
stabiliising
and
roll
out
of
techonlogy,
and
staff
training
Research activities Research outcomes based activities Design activities Progamme activities based on design Framing events
Socialisation
of
research
outcomes
User
Group
5
kick
off
stakeholder
session
Key:
Start
of
UR/UX
Start
of
visual
design
49. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
My current project
Apr
18 May
18 Jun
18 Jul
18 Aug
18 Sep
18 Oct
18 Nov
18 Dec
18 Jan
19 Feb
19 Mar
19 Apr
19 May
19 Jun
19 Jul
19 Aug
19 Sep
19
User
Group
4
research
and
workshops
scheduling
research
sessions
User
Group
1
-‐
Location
1
research
session
User
Group
1
-‐
Location
2
research
session
User
Group
1
stakeholders
workshop
User
group
2
-‐
Locations
1
&
2research
&
workshop
User
Group
3
research
&
workshop
User
Group
2
-‐
Locations
1,
2
&
3
research
&
workshop
Beginning
of
iterative
prototype
design
and
build
Beginning
of
iterative
prototype
testing
with
users
Beginning
of
annotating
validated
design
elements
Beginning
of
creation
of
JIRA
tickets
for
development
Beginning
of
collaboration
with
dev
&
QA
over
build
of
stories
Beginning
of
testing
of
built
elements
with
users
Suggested
deadline
for
research
and
design
work
Suggested
beginning
of
scaling,
stabiliising
and
roll
out
of
techonlogy,
and
staff
training
Research activities Research outcomes based activities Design activities Progamme activities based on design Framing events
Socialisation
of
research
outcomes
User
Group
5
kick
off
stakeholder
session
Key:
Start
of
UR/UX
Start
of
visual
design
52. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Fitting research in agile cadences
• Less time = less research = less robust insights = problems
• Lots of time = lots of research = Lots of insights to analyse =
problems
• Just enough research = just what the team can deal with =
fewer problems
• Start small, then do more if the team can follow
53. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
So far in the workshop…
• The 5 steps of user research
• Note-taking skills to efficiently contribute to research
• Basics of facilitating a test
• How user research can fit in agile cadences
54. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Suggested reading
Books:
- The Mom test, Rob Fitzpatrick, Founder Centric
- Interviewing for research, Andrew Travers, free ebook: https://trvrs.co/book
- Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights, Steve Portigal, Rosenfeld Media
Blog posts:
- Never Ask What They Want — 3 Better Questions to Ask in User Interviews, Charles Liu. https://
medium.com/user-research/never-ask-what-they-want-3-better-questions-to-ask-in-user-interviews-
aeddd2a2101e
55. @wickedgeekie#DeliverAgile2018
Thank you
• Get in touch:
• @wickedgeekie on twitter
• sophie@baguetteUX.com
• Linkedin.com/sophiefrei
• Engage me to coach, train or provide consultancy services