How can you build a shared understanding of UED across departments?

User experience design (UED) is not just a job for designers. It is a collaborative process that involves multiple stakeholders, such as developers, product managers, marketers, and customers. To create products that meet user needs and expectations, you need to build a shared understanding of UED across departments. Here are some tips on how to do that.

1 Communicate the value of UED

One of the first steps to build a shared understanding of UED is to communicate its value to the organization and the product. Explain how UED can help achieve business goals, such as increasing customer satisfaction, retention, and revenue. Show examples of how UED can improve the usability, accessibility, and desirability of the product. Use metrics and feedback to demonstrate the impact of UED on the product performance and user behavior.

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Muhammad Hamza

🚀 Senior UI/UX & Product Designer | 8+ Yrs in AI, Web3, Fintech, iGaming | $33M+ in Design-Driven Growth | Design Leader | Figma Power User | Product Design Strategist ✨
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Building a shared understanding of User Experience Design (UED) across departments involves fostering clear communication, collaboration, and education. Here are some strategies to achieve this: Workshops and Training Sessions: Conduct workshops or training sessions to introduce UED concepts to members of different departments. These sessions can cover the fundamentals of user-centered design, usability principles, and the impact of good UX on business goals. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between UED professionals and individuals from other departments. By working together on projects or participating in cross-functional teams, employees gain firsthand experience and understanding of UED processes and objectives.

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2 Involve others in the UED process

Another way to build a shared understanding of UED is to involve others in the UED process. Invite them to participate in user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Encourage them to share their insights, opinions, and feedback. Make them feel part of the UED team and the product vision. By involving others in the UED process, you can foster empathy, collaboration, and alignment among different departments.

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Rizwan Burji

Incharge NBBL Product management | Digital Payments UPI | UI/UX | Techie | Design Thinker | Digital Marketeer |
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User experience design is incomplete in my experience without taking User inputs during the prototyping/testing phase. The more people you involve the more richer the experience is. You can never get enough inputs hence try and maximise this phase. There is no greater feeling than to be heard and see the actual experience make its way into the final output. This is the best reward a user can get and you would have also gained a loyal user who will keep sharing inputs with you. Remember experience design is not an individual phenomenon it is a collective experience that needs to cater to a large user base hence spend time and effort in understanding the users needs.

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Mohammed Zabeeh Ur Rahman

Product Designer @ Ofofo
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Encouraging cross-departmental participation in UED activities, like user research or design brainstorming, card sorting sessions, helps demystify the process and fosters a sense of ownership and understanding across the organization.

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3 Establish a common language and framework

A third tip to build a shared understanding of UED is to establish a common language and framework for UED. Use clear and consistent terms and definitions for UED concepts, such as personas, user journeys, wireframes, and user testing. Create and share a UED guide or playbook that outlines the UED principles, methods, tools, and best practices. Use a common platform or tool to document and communicate the UED process and outcomes. By establishing a common language and framework for UED, you can reduce confusion, ambiguity, and miscommunication among different departments.

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4 Educate and inspire others about UED

A fourth suggestion to build a shared understanding of UED is to educate and inspire others about UED. Organize workshops, webinars, or courses to teach others about the basics and benefits of UED. Share case studies, articles, podcasts, or books that showcase successful UED examples and practices. Recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of others in UED. By educating and inspiring others about UED, you can increase their awareness, interest, and appreciation of UED.

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5 Seek and provide feedback on UED

A fifth recommendation to build a shared understanding of UED is to seek and provide feedback on UED. Ask others for their input and suggestions on how to improve the UED process and product. Listen to their perspectives and concerns and address them accordingly. Provide constructive and actionable feedback on their work and performance in UED. Thank them for their support and collaboration in UED. By seeking and providing feedback on UED, you can improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of UED.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you build a shared understanding of UED across departments?

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1 Communicate the value of UED

2 Involve others in the UED process

3 Establish a common language and framework

4 Educate and inspire others about UED

5 Seek and provide feedback on UED

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience Design

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How can you build a shared understanding of UED across departments?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Communicate the value of UED

2 Involve others in the UED process

3 Establish a common language and framework

4 Educate and inspire others about UED

5 Seek and provide feedback on UED

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience Design

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