UX design refers to the process of designing digital products in such a way that, along with meeting the needs of users, their use is easy and enjoyable.
Researchers and experts have presented various techniques and methods to make the design process more efficient and effective. All these methods have advantages and disadvantages. Two of the most popular techniques in product design are Agile UX and Lean UX.
In this article, we will discuss the concept of Agile UX, its principles, and its comparison with Lean UX.
Table of Contents
Defining Agile UX
Agile UX combines two different methods for product development, namely Agile development and User-Centered Design.
Agile development
Agile development is a way of working that emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and adaptability. This approach involves breaking large projects into smaller, manageable parts called sprints and working on them. Agile development enables teams to quickly respond to changes in the development process and implement changes as needed.
User-Centered Design
User-centered design is a process that focuses on understanding the needs, goals, and behaviors of users. This approach involves conducting research, creating user personas, and testing designs with real users to ensure that products are user-friendly and will meet their needs.
In general, Agile UX combines these two approaches by prioritizing user needs during the development process. Designers, developers, and stakeholders collaborate in short periods and in small batches to create prototypes and test them with real users.
This approach allows teams to quickly identify and address issues, make changes as needed, and create products that are not only successful in the market, but also user-friendly.
What Sprints Mean in Agile UX
Sprints refer to a period, typically 1-4 weeks, in which a team works on a specific set of tasks or goals. In Agile UX, sprints are used to break large projects into smaller parts. With this, the product design project will be manageable, and continuous improvement will be possible.
During a sprint, the team will focus on completing a set of tasks or goals. It then reviews and adjusts its approach based on feedback and results. Such sprints allow the team to quickly adapt to changing user needs and business goals and quickly create a minimum viable product.
The minimum deliverable product means the initial version with the minimum features of a product that is produced for users. The purpose of MVP is to collect feedback from users to develop and improve the product so that it satisfies them.
Sprints follow an iterative design, build, test, and review process.
Principles of Agile UX
The 12 important principles of Agile are:
- Getting feedback from the user during the design
- Flexibility for changes
- Faster development schedule
- Cooperation
- Advancing the project with the help of responsible and motivated people
- Face-to-face communication
- Sustainable product development (i.e. scalability over time)
- Valuing learning
- Simplicity
- Customer satisfaction
- Having self-organizing teams
- Having self-reflecting teams
Definition of Lean UX
Lean UX is a simpler approach to user experience design that emphasizes speed and efficiency. This method of product design involves creating a minimum viable product (MVP) and testing it with users as quickly as possible to gather feedback and refine the design.
Lean UX is often used by startups and small businesses that need to move quickly and remain agile in a rapidly changing market.
Difference between Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Agile UX and Lean UX
The difference between MVPs in Lean UX and Agile UX lies in the approach to MVP creation and testing.
In Lean UX, the focus is on creating a minimum deliverable product that can be tested with users as quickly as possible. The goal is to gather feedback and validate assumptions before investing too much time and resources into development.
In Agile UX, the MVP approach is more iterative and collaborative. This team works together to create an early version of the product. But instead of immediately testing it with users, they first test it internally and improve based on their feedback. Once the team is satisfied with the product, they test it with users to gather more feedback and make further improvements.
In general, both Lean UX and Agile UX prioritize the creation of MVPs to gather feedback and validate assumptions. The difference lies in the approach to MVP creation and testing, with Lean UX emphasizing speed and efficiency. While Agile UX emphasizes collaboration and iteration.
Agile UX vs. Lean UX
Agile UX and Lean UX are two different ways to design products or services that prioritize user needs. These two approaches have similarities and differences, which we will discuss below.
Differences between Agile UX and Lean UX
- Scope: Agile UX is used in larger and more complex projects. Whereas Lean UX is often used for smaller, more focused projects that can be completed quickly.
- Process: Agile UX involves dividing a project into sprints to complete the project. Whereas Lean UX involves creating an MVP and testing it with users as quickly as possible.
- Collaboration: Agile UX emphasizes collaboration between different teams and stakeholders. Whereas Lean UX is often driven by a small, cross-functional team.
- Feedback: Agile UX relies heavily on user and stakeholder feedback to guide the design process. Whereas Lean UX relies on decision-making based on user feedback.
- Documentation: Agile UX typically involves more documentation, with detailed plans and specifications created at the beginning of each sprint. In contrast, Lean UX is more focused on creating prototypes and testing them with users as quickly as possible. This approach requires less documentation and will allow more flexibility and experimentation.
- Level of risk in the project: Agile UX is often used for projects that have a high degree of risk. Such as projects with complex technical requirements or strict regulatory requirements. The iterative approach of Agile UX allows for regular feedback and adjustments that can help reduce the risks associated (risk management in UX) with these types of projects. In contrast, Lean UX is suitable for projects with lower risk levels. Speed and efficiency are more important than complete documentation and planning.
Similarities between Agile UX and Lean UX
Agile UX and Lean UX work on some of the same principles. These similar principles are:
- User-centered: In both Agile UX and Lean UX methods, the user’s opinion and meeting his needs is a priority. Because human-centered design is the principle in both.
- Collaboration: Both product design methods emphasize collaboration with different teams and the early sharing of insights to produce a quality product.
- Evidence-based: There is a common emphasis on research, experimentation, challenging assumptions, and getting quick feedback in both Agile UX and Lean UX approaches.
- Feedback-driven: Both Agile UX and Lean UX focus on breaking projects down into very small parts. In this regard, the possibility of testing, flexibility, and quick response to feedback and changing needs will be provided.