UX Maturity
Evaluate and Improve
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and enhance the User Experience (UX) maturity of the organization, particularly the Product team, by implementing the UX Maturity framework developed by NN Group.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
With this team exercise, we aimed to systematically assess and improve the UX capabilities of the product design team through the structured approach provided by the NN Group's UX Maturity framework. This involved a comprehensive analysis of the current state of UX practices within the team and the implementation of targeted initiatives to advance maturity levels.
Why is UX maturity so important?
High UX maturity = Lower business risk
Organizations with a greater level of UX maturity save time and money by reducing rework and increasing productivity
Image Source: Nielsen Norman Group
KEY PHASES OF THE EXERCISE
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Evaluate the level of UX maturity in the team.
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Plan and set realistic goals to reach the next level and define KPI's to measure quarterly progress
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Implement the planned activities and measure bi-weekly progress.
Evaluation exercises
Outcome highlights
Self Assessment Quiz
Stakeholder Survey
Assessment of Tools & Deliverables
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Inconsistent adoption of UX framework on the design projects
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Isolated team , broken communication
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Challenges with UX evangelism across organisation
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Inconsistent design documentation and deliverables
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Limited transparency of design process and development stages
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Lack of visual library/design system
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Variation in prototyping tools
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No UX documentation guidelines
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Less visibility of other deliverables due to silos
CURRENT LEVEL - STAGE 2 LIMITED
The UX Maturity level of the team was Limited and therefore the goal is to be at the
Emergent level where:
- every team member can efficiently prove the value and impact of UX.
- maintain organised documentation and deliverables
- increase transparency within the team as well as with the relevant stakeholders
IDEAS TO LEVEL UP
A big challenge in stage 2 was the fundamental lack of understanding across the organization. To make people care enough about UX to actually learn about it, we had to tell them why they should care.
The second major factor to prioritise was improving our design process—the methods for doing UX work. Invest time in learning how to design and research activities correctly.
We conducted brainstorming sessions to gather ideas for our progress plan. Good ideas were mapped out as smaller goals and delegated to relevant team members.
IMPLEMENT GOOD & FEASIBLE IDEAS
To progress from this stage, we aimed to focus on getting people to listen by showcasing the small UX-related wins, compiling positive case studies, and cultivating relationships so UX and Design Thinking can gain traction.
I broke down each big plan into micro-goals in order to prioritise and take action, which helped us visualise and align with others.
We discussed our UX maturity activity progress as well as design discussions in a more timely and efficient manner. With well-structured note-taking and concise communication, team collaboration improved significantly over 3 months.
(We anonymously voted on the progress to reach this outcome.)
I fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging team members to share insights and suggestions for further enhancement.
1. Productive and concise team discussions:
Good communciation is the foundation of good culture.
2. Inter-team collaboration:
Involving the stakeholders more frequently resulted in establishing more trust and accountability in the team. Gradually, we started formalizing this process to maintain consistency in the work flow.
CONCLUSION
The project resulted in a tangible improvement in the UX maturity of the product design team. Key performance indicators demonstrated enhanced efficiency, improved collaboration, and a more structured approach to design.
This exercise not only identified areas for improvement but also provided a clear roadmap for growth, ensuring that the team continues to evolve and deliver outstanding user experiences.