Beyond the Waterfall: Rethinking How We Work
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Transcript of Beyond the Waterfall: Rethinking How We Work
I working collaboratively.
SERIOUSLY?
The Epic Waterfall Fail.
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
Photo via Brad Frost
#WATERFALLFAIL
#WATERFALLFAIL
ABOUT TO #WATERFALLFAIL
If it was with my dying breath, I would caution
anyone against attempting the feat...A N N I E E D S O N TAY L O R
I would sooner walk up to the mouth of a cannon,
knowing it was going to blow me to pieces than
make another trip over the Fall.A N N I E E D S O N TAY L O R
#NEVERAGAIN
The post waterfall workflow.
Icon by Austin Condiff from the Noun Project
Being involved from the beginning gives me a
greater sense of ownership over a project. I'm not
just implementing a drawing someone hands
me, I'm helping real people solve real problems…M AT T W O N D R A , S E N I O R D E V E L O P E R , A P A R T M E N T T H E R A P Y
…This not only makes me happier in my work, it
also motivates me to make sure every detail is
done just right.
M AT T W O N D R A , S E N I O R D E V E L O P E R , A P A R T M E N T T H E R A P Y
SKETCH STUDIOTECHNIQUE
Include the full team.
UX
DESIGN DEV
Keep it focused.
Come prepared.
FEATURE BRIEF
A Feature Brief establishes the sketch studio’s priorities
FACT
Sketch. Erase. Repeat.
Capture decisions.
SKETCH STUDIO
• Iterate & test ideas in real-time
• Build a shared understanding
• Create a sense of ownership
CRITIQUE, OFTENTECHNIQUE
Team-wide critiques.
Review your designs early and often with a broad team
TIP
“Wow, this design looks really nice. You obviously spent a lot of time on this. Unfortunately, we can’t build it.”
When the developer is involved in the process, they
can warn about parts that are harder to implement. B R I A N WA LT E R S , F R O N T-E N D D E V E L O P E R , P I X O
Informal critiques.
Design critiques.
CRITIQUE, OFTEN
• Get feedback from a broad audience
• Make sure our designs can be built
• Push ourselves to innovate
And now, a story.
WORK IN PARALLELTECHNIQUE
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
RESEARCH
UX
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
QA
WORK IN PARALLEL
• Gives time to deal with complications
• Allows you to respond to project needs
• Encourages communication
• Creates a sense of ownership
TASK BOARDSTECHNIQUE
TO DO IN PROGRESS BLOCKED DONE
Task
Task
Task
Task Task
Task
Task
Task
Ticket for task
Backlog of tasks
Tasks added to board
TASK BOARDS
• Provide transparency
• Capture, organize, and prioritize the project’s tasks/issues
• Help address bottlenecks immediately
TWEAK CODETECHNIQUE
IT’S OK! YOU CAN DO IT!
TWEAK ALL THE CODE!
I love when designers actively help implement
their vision.L E O N I D G R I N B E R G , D E V E L O P E R , T H E N E W YO R K T I M E S
1. The right tools
2. Version control
designer + developer = awesome
TWEAK CODE
• Iterating a design in code can be hugely valuable
• So. much. more. satisfying.
• Creates a stronger relationship with developers
The secret sauce.
Without empathy, it doesn’t matter what you
do with computers. Engineering success
doesn’t come from technical means. It comes
from understanding humans.J O H N A L L S P A W, C T O , E T S Y
Beyond the waterfall.
Whatever tool or method you use, let it be one that empowers your team and allows them to be true partners.
