UX integrated into the Agile method

The Agile approach relies on issuing somewhat complex rules and aims to get rid of the structures and rules of traditional methods. It claims shortened work cycles aimed at respecting deadlines.

Based on a constant exchange of information, agile methods make it possible to quickly develop the ideal product to satisfy both developers and the customer. UX design being more in line with the Waterfall methodology (in cascade) than with Agile methodologies, the integration of UX Design approaches within an agile approach is not always easy in Web projects.

How then can we combine UX and Agile for an innovative design that really meets user needs?

An Agile method is an approach to software development to continuously deliver operational software created based on rapid and relevant iterations. This iterative and collaborative approach takes into account the initial needs of the client, without excluding possible changes linked to the evolutions of the project.

Agile methods characterize a way of managing IT projects that encourages dialogue between all stakeholders: customers, users, developers, etc. Agile is characterized by flexibility in delivery, the ability to modify plans, and the ability to meet delivery deadlines.

An Agile development cycle puts the customer at the centre of the process. This offers the requesting client better visibility on the reality of the project with all its hazards (in comparison with a traditional method).

The involvement of the client in the development process provides the team with regular feedback which allows the necessary changes to be applied instantly as needed.

Thanks to this iterative and skilful method, it will be possible in particular to accelerate software development.

The Agile approach takes the opposite view of traditional predictive and sequential approaches to project management, of the V-cycle or waterfall type. These classical methods follow a monotonous and rigid approach and organize a software project as a series of linear sequences. In Agile, it is then a question of breaking with traditional practices that are far too demanding in terms of specifications, in particular contractual ones.

Agile makes it possible to perfect the design cycle, shorten its execution time and to be able to develop the project within the agreed timeframe.

Classic waterfall project management is rigid and based on careful planning. The method consists of linear and sequential phases, where one phase follows the other, and no new phase can begin until the previous one is completed. In reaction to the constraints of this approach considered too regulated, cumbersome, and micro-managed, Agile methodologies have emerged. They began to be developed in the 70s and 80s, but it was not until 2001 that the Manifesto for Agile Software Development was designed, thus marking the beginning of the boom in Agile development. Being more flexible and adaptable to change, these methodologies overcome the limitations of the waterfall method, allowing developers to move forward much faster and more efficiently.

It all started when the software development industry couldn’t escape the reality that production cycles and cascading collaboration methods aren’t delivering the results they expect. Indeed, a 1994 survey by the “Standish Group” made the following observation: “31% of IT projects are stopped along the way, 52% only end up at the cost of a significant overrun of the deadlines and the budget. by offering less functionality than was requested; only 16% of projects can be considered successful. “.

This same survey carried out in 2008, assesses the success rate at 35%, marking a rather improvement, yet dramatically weak. It is to overcome this inefficiency and counter that the Agile method has gradually started to be adopted by IT professionals.

The traditional project management model relies on respecting contractual commitments, leaving little contact between stakeholders, leaving little or no room for adjustments. Consequently, a harmful and conflicting tunnel effect is created, marked by a preponderant gap between the initial need and the final product. Moreover, this tunnel effect prevents the adoption of high-value ideas that emerge during development and does not eliminate inadequate functionalities discovered along the way.

This is where the Agile method takes on its full meaning. Based on the principle that needs are always changing and that they are never fixed, it makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate this tunnel effect. It gives more visibility to the client and involves him from the beginning to the end of the project, through the adoption of an iterative and incremental process.

There are several agile methods, namely:

Regardless of the method applied, the Agile paradigm always makes it possible to optimize the design cycle, to develop the project within the agreed timeframe.

The Agile method assumes that planning the entire project in detail and determining its specifications even before starting development (predictive approach) is counterproductive.

In this way, and as the Manifesto for Agile Software Development concludes, there are four key characteristics to be absolutely privileged:

It should be noted that the authors of the Manifesto emphasized that they are not advocating the complete abandonment of the items to the right of this list (which are not in bold), but that they have simply decided to emphasize and to enhance the aspects which offer more flexibility and speed of execution.

In short, Agile methodologies (Scrum, Lean, Kanban or DSDM …) share three main characteristics:

With the basics of Agile methodologies covered, we can move on to the UX design process.

UX design is a user-centred approach, which takes into account their needs to translate them into an optimal experience aligned with their expectations.

To deliver a digital interface that meets the user’s aspirations, the UX designer is interested in the emotions felt during his interaction with it. In UX, ergonomics, ease of use, technical feasibility, and user feedback are taken into account.

These stages of the UX process come together to create a roadmap for designers:

UX design is a predominantly linear and sequential (waterfall) approach since the design process has a clear and structured workflow — it consists of well-organized steps. Once a step is complete, designers can move on to the next or they can also go back one step, for example, to make changes to the prototype.

By definition and key elements, UX design looks like a relevant and well-thought-out procedure. It is indeed the case. This is also the case with the Agile method. Because of this, it is quite natural to want to take something good and want to improve it. In our case, we will take Agile methodologies to apply them to the UX approach to emerge with a method that is efficient and flexible. Indeed, UX and Agile are two methods that work well together to become Agile UX, it is however not easy to make them coexist, given the structured nature of UX in Waterfall, and the high flexibility. of Agile.

The combination of the two methods still guarantees to stay in tune with the realities of software development.

Indeed, UX is used to structure work and optimize results thanks to the user-centred approach, with a flexible and iterative aspect in the ideation and design phases, it is perfectly adaptable to less traditional methods. The flexible and fast side combined with transparent communication between the different parties in Agile ensures the smooth running of the project.

You just have to stay flexible and open to the different methods commonly used.

By using the right temporality (knowing when to integrate which phase of UX into an Agile project), and the flexible and iterative specificities of the ideation and design phases of the UX method, it is possible to combine certain aspects of the UX method. ‘UX and Agile as follows:

The real differentiator between companies today is no longer based solely on the function that our product/service must perform to satisfy the user, but also and above all on the user experience. UX design is now part of the DNA of any competitive business. It is also essential in business to adopt working methods adapted to our reality. Teams of developers now benefit from an Agile methodology that makes their work and life easier. Intelligently integrated into a UX approach, the success of the finished product would be even more assured.

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