UX

In a series of articles I've written for UXMatters, I describe an approach to writing proposals for services that distinguish your value proposition from your competition by leveraging three key principles: 1. Bill by "piece work" 2. Be transparent 3. Put your customer in control of the scope of effort

Finally, after almost a dozen articles, I'm prepared to discuss a framework for a UX architecture, what I've called the PQRS Model, or Puzzle-piece Framework. To review, I've been mining Architecture (as in bricks-and-mortar) in the hopes of discovering ways to discuss UX architecture. Architecture has historically been strategic, no doubt because of its expense, but also because it encompasses so many life-safety and fundamental human needs. Until UX architecture crosses a similar threshold in its enterprises, it will remain a tactical player. That day is coming, for the same reasons Architecture crossed the threshold: enterprises can't accept the costs of…

I argue, in the initial articles of this series, that a UX architecture exists. I argue that it is akin to Architecture itself even if UX architecture doesn't share the strategic position of its older and more established relation. I've also suggested that UX architecture will eventually get a seat at the strategy table because otherwise the costs will be prohibitive. Enterprises will either be replaced by competitors that leverage UX in their strategies, or they eventually evolve to leverage UX themselves. With the business and operational contexts sketched out in the prior set of articles, I turn your attention to…

Continuing the thoughts from the most recent article, I dig deeper into how UX architecture pervades the entire enterprise, assuming the enterprise has anything to do with people. World-class UX architecture is world-class systems design. It takes an ecosystem approach to considering the users' experience of the enterprise's products and services. UX Architecture as System Thinking UX architecture identifies, describes and designs an ecosystem of use for an organization's product or service. What constitutes such an ecosystem? Where does an "ecosystem of use" begin or end? 10 years ago, the answers to those questions were still emerging. Today, we have a body of…

In the first set of articles, I’ve argued that Architecture is both strategic and political. These are two ways in which it differs from design. I suggested Architecture isn't just design on steroids: it's a broader activity, extending beyond the brief to which any specific design responds. Architecture is both the context within which a design must operate, and a contributor to any given design. In the most recent article, I proposed that Architecture, and UX architecture are also responsible for the processes by which they operate. Unless the organization understands the value of Architecture in financial terms, it won't be willing to…

The point of these blogs is to sketch out the notion of  "UX architecture," something that many people talk about (or at least they post job descriptions for UX architects; I assume those people will be working on UX architectures...) but for which there is little documentation. I've been thinking about this a lot for the past ten years. I've concluded if there is such a thing as a UX architecture, it needs to be as comprehensive as Architecture, the "Mother of All Arts." Whether that happens depends on UX architecture's evolution over the next several years. The need for (and costs…

In this continuation of a series of articles about UX Architecture, I suggest that Architecture, by definition, is a strategic asset. Its strategic impact makes Architecture different from other types of design.

About eight years ago I published a series of articles on CHIFOO (the Oregon and SW Washington chapter of the ACM's SIGCHI) having to do with UX Architecture. I've re-discovered those articles and made them current, but as it turns out, not so much has changed in the ensuing years. For example, CHIFOO's 2007 speaker series (Mind The Business: Promoting The Value Of Your Work) that inspired these articles is very much like the 2017 speaker series: Thriving Amid Chaos - Strategies Beyond Good Design, so it's timely as well. The term User Experience Architect continues to populate the job boards. What…

Season 2 Episode 1 - the premier episode for the season - in Portland, featuring Leo as one of the judges. A fun little exercise in helping startups get better acquainted with the ways in which UX can help them attract more customers, investors and improve their revenue.

In this keynote address closing the first day of Interact London 16, I offer persuasive and cautionary tales of time travel and its odd effect on the artifacts we design.