Process

1. Discovery
Projects budgeted to have a fast turn around do not always budget for sufficient discovery time. This is a real world constraint, and sometimes needs to be negotiated up front to provide ample time. This is where I conduct as much UX Research in any and all forms as possible. Typical UX Research tools used at this stage are contextual interviews, personas, heuristic review, experience mapping, and more.

2. Analysis
This phase is where all the data available is evaluated. The results of this stage should be a strategy to address Pain Points for users and to suggest features that address those points. Experience Mapping, and Feature Prioritizing assist in organizing strategy around features.

3. Sketch
This phase is the beginning of ideation. Sitemaps and Wireframes are lo-fidelity tools I use to convey ideas and test them out with users and share with team members and stakeholders. Changes can be made quickly and easily at this stage, because the process is fast and generalized. Usability Studies of the ideas in lo-fidelity are valuable at this stage.

4. Design
This stage is the 2nd phase of ideation. For me this includes: Hi Fidelity Mockups of Screen Designs in Sketch, Axure, or Photoshop, and if time allows: Prototypes. I also find it useful to do Usability Testing at this phase, especially with a prototype, because the feedback can be very accurate to how a user would react to a working product.

5. Production
At this phase I typically work with managers and developers to make sure work is being conducted according to spec. I find it to be important to be present and involved at this stage because designed can often be loosely interpreted.

6. Support
One the product is live, it’s important to be in touch with live data and real customers to see how things are working. This is a good time to collect info for more improvements, features, and the like. Usability Testing, Internal Feedback Collection, Surveys, etc are good tools to use at this stage