Nov 22, 2023
Elevating problem solving: Benefits to the UX pre-project template
Download the Notion template here.
In a world of fast paced, agile product development, fostering a culture of problem thinking as well as problem solving should be an important part of what we do day to day as UXers.
Often times, this gets skipped or overlooked, leading to products that do not achieve product market fit. In my current role, I’ve introduced (with help) the pre-project template that doesn’t slow things down but does encourage more critical thinking of your product.
Here’s some benefits it could bring you and your team…
Benefits to UXers:
Structured Thinking for Personal Growth: As UXers, you know how it goes… sometimes our discovery processes can be messy — and that’s okay, it’s not supposed to be organized perfection every time. This template will allow you to gather your ideas into one place allowing you to bring together all of your best ideas & problem thinking.
Your Ideas, In The Right Place At The Right Time: How often do you have ideas & thinking that you’re not sure how to best present back and which moment to do it? By using this template, your ideas don’t get lost, and your stakeholders can check them out at a time convenient for them.
Research flourishing: There’s a dedicated section just for research, insights etc, bringing your research to a place that all disciplines can collaborate together.
Benefits to Product People:
Clear Vision Alignment: The template acts as a bridge between UX and product teams, facilitating clear communication and alignment of goals. Product people can easily collaborate with us, helping them make informed decisions between tech tradeoffs & UX tradeoffs.
Informed Decision-Making: UX research, market research, tech research & product research, all in one easily digestible place. The pre-project template gives everyone a chance to contribute but for Product, it brings everything together to enable decision making.
Efficient Resource Allocation: By providing a comprehensive overview of the project landscape, the template enables product teams to allocate resources effectively. This not only streamlines the development process but also ensures that efforts are directed towards addressing the most critical user pain points.
Benefits to Developers:
Reduced Ambiguity: Developers benefit from the template’s clarity in outlining project requirements and user needs. This minimizes ambiguity, helping developers make informed technical decisions that align with the overall project objectives.
Improved Communication: The template fosters effective communication between UX designers and developers by providing a shared understanding of project goals and constraints. This alignment from the outset reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation and ensures a smoother development process.
Benefits of Aligning Stakeholders Early and Often:
Risk Mitigation: Early alignment through the template helps identify potential issues and challenges before they escalate. This proactive approach mitigates risks, ensuring a smoother project progression.
Accelerated Decision-Making: Regular stakeholder alignment facilitated by the template promotes quicker decision-making. This agility is essential in the dynamic landscape of product development, allowing teams to adapt swiftly to changing requirements and market conditions.
Cohesive Team Dynamics: The template nurtures a sense of shared purpose among stakeholders, allowing a collaborative atmosphere. This cohesion translates into improved team dynamics, where each member contributes to the collective success of the project.
By fostering a culture of problem thinking, this template’s benefits extend beyond just UXers, helping Product, Tech and stakeholders. Clear vision alignment and informed decision-making become achievable goals, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that development efforts are strategically directed. Give it a try and let me know how you get on!
Credits
Thanks to:
Dave Grant for introducing me to this concept.
Alec Stewart, Warren Green, Amelia Longhurst for their help on developing this template over time.
Download the Notion template here.