Without users & their problems, we have no reason to write software. However, sometimes, it is frustrating dealing with the source of our problems. Thankfully, there are tools to help us become better at communicating with our end users, in hopes of achieving the end goal with as little strife as possible. Empathy, patience, and clear communication go a long way in development, as this talk will show. “Even More Tools for the Developer’s UX Toolbelt” will give developers even more tools to make their lives a little easier when dealing with end users.

1. Tools for the
Developer’s UX Toolbelt
SARAH DUTKIEWICZ
CLEVELAND TECH EVENTS
CLEVELAND TECH CONSULTING, LLC

2. Background
• Over 15 years in the field, as:
• Tech support & management
• Desktop support
• Database administration
• Web server administration
• Reporting
• Web development
• Iteration manager
• Published technical author
• Instructor / Adjunct instructor
• Developer Mentor
• Conference Organizer
• Speaker
• Blogger
• Community advocate
• B.S. in Computer Science & Engineering Technology

3. While I
can
sketch…
#codemash2016 #uxjam

4. Note: Not a Graphics Designer!

5. Note: Really Not a Graphics Designer!

6. In our previous episode…

7. Check
your egos
at
the door

9. Look
• UI
• Visually appealing
• Consistent
Feel
• Emotions
• Beliefs
• Physically
• Psychologically
Usability
• Functional
• Intuitive
• Predictable

10. Why should developers care?
• Without users, our software has no reason to exist.
• More happy users means better chance of getting them to
recommend our software to others.
• While designers can make things look visually appealing, at the end of
the day, if the functionality is awful, people will get frustrated and
stop using a product.

11. Mind Maps

12. Site Maps

13. José
Business
Owner
Irene
Older
Resident
Sarah
Younger
Resident
P
e
r
s
o
n
a
s

14. Identifying Processes

15. Data Visualisation

16. Wireframes / Mockups

17. Gathering Requirements with Gherkin

18. Analytics

19. And in this episode…

21. Put
yourself
in
the users’ shoes

22. You’ve
won the
lottery!

23. Image source:
http://figures.boundless.com/30386/full/3678747186_0bfb0d6a01_z.jpg

28. Your dog has died of dysentery.
Your dog has died of dysentery.
Your dog has died of dysentery.

29. Generate your tomb at: http://www.oregontrailtombstone.com/

30. Conveying the Right Message
• Not just words
• Also delivery, including…
• Fonts
• Timing
• Medium

31. Documentation as part of UX
• Contextual Help
• Error Messaging
• Contextual Messaging
• Help Files
• Online Documentation

32. Contextual Help

33. When Contextual Help Goes Awry…

34. Useless errors

36. Actionable Errors

37. Ok… maybe too Actionable

38. Contextual Messaging

43. Now that
we’ve used
these tools as
we’ve gone
through
these
cycles…

44. Where do we go from here?

45. Ask for
feedback.
Give them
options for
different
feedback!

49. Demo: Michigan.gov study

54. • Windows 7 and higher
• Capture clicks and steps taken
• Add comments on what is expected

55. Customer Engagements
• Meet in-person
• Experience environment app is being used in
• Make note of environmental conditions not accounted for in the
design
• Make note of processes not identified earlier

56. Any questions?