The document provides an overview of 7 must-try user experience tactics for developers: 1) use user stories to understand user needs, 2) sketch designs to explore options before coding, 3) map user flows to optimize tasks, 4) move away from data tables to reduce overload, 5) use whitespace for readability and prioritization, 6) conduct guerrilla testing of 10 minutes to save re-coding, and 7) gather user feedback through the live experience and provide support tools. The document includes examples and explanations for each tactic.

2. 7 must-try user experience tactics for developers
by Tiffany Nolan & Catherine Robson

3. Users have higher
expectations
than ever.

4. 10
seconds to make a
good impression
20
minutes to
achieve a goal

5. Tiffany Nolan Catherine Robson
Manager, User Experience Design
Red Hat, Inc
crobson@redhat.com
@catwrobson
Interaction Designer
Red Hat, Inc
tnolan@redhat.com
@tiffanolan
About us

6. How many of you
are developers?
Question time!
How many of you
work with a UX
designer already?

7. Learning UX tactics
will make you a
better developer.

8. TACTIC #1
User stories

9. Always start with
user stories.
TACTIC #1 | User stories

10. As a <user type>
I want <feature>
so <reason>
TACTIC #1 | User stories

11. http://www.romanpichler.com/blog/personas-epics-user-stories/
TACTIC #1 | User Stories

12. Fuddy
Find Food Buddies at your next conference or event.
Establishes a connection and similar interests to be
able to chat at receptions.
No one wants to eat alone, and especially when you’re
on the road and in a new city. There are so many
unique and delicious restaurants to try out!

13. Masters degree in Public Communications
5 - 10 years of experience in her trade
Has changed companies about every 5 years
Is looking to grow in her trade
Social butterfly and excellent networker
Attend the conference to learn more about her trade
Network with others in different companies to open up job opportunities
Have engaging and interesting discussions with colleagues of similar interest
Expand her opportunities for the future
Wants to experience the city and locale of each conference as well as an avid traveler
“Going to conferences is such a great learning experience, but the best part is networking and meeting
new and interesting people I can learn from.
GOALS
Sometimes it can be hard to locate others who are really looking for the most out of the conference experience
Wants to find the restaurants and experiences that really provide a taste of the locale while at a conference, but doesn’
t always have time to research it
Cheryl always arrives the day before the conference starts, wanting to get the most out of her conference experience. She carefully
plans her sessions, but also knows that part of the value of the conference is open time to meet and network with other colleagues.
She makes sure to leave her evenings available for either conference sponsored events, or to meet with people she meets
throughout the day. She often wants to engage with new contacts that have similar interests and helpful associations, but only
occasionally stumbles across these at a given conference.
Cheryl Conference Attendee
PAIN POINTS
BACKGROUND
Goes to conferences a few times a
year and loves to socialize
DAY IN THE LIFE ….
More info...

14. TACTIC #1 | User stories
Epic
Cheryl likes to locate and meet new people
over dinner.

15. ● Cheryl would like to host an open reception
at a local restaurant, so she can choose a
restaurant she likes for people to join.
● Cheryl would like to browse existing
receptions by attendees so she can join the
most interesting evening conversation for her.
TACTIC #1 | User stories

16. Brainstorm how
you can solve
the problem.

17. TACTIC #2
Sketching

18. Quickly and easily
explore design
options.
TACTIC #2 | Sketching

19. Iterate because
your first idea is
rarely your best.
TACTIC #2 | Sketching

20. TACTIC #2 | Sketching
Diverge Converge
Create
choices
Make
choices

21. You don’t have to
be an artist to make
an effective sketch.
TACTIC #2 | Sketching

23. TACTIC #3
User flows

24. Map how the
user performs
their tasks.
TACTIC #3 | User flows

25. Get stakeholder
buy-in early.
TACTIC #3 | User flows

26. Like sketching,
create user flows
before any coding.
TACTIC #3 | User flows

27. Solve the problem
without technology
restrictions.
TACTIC #3 | User flows

28. Home
Browse &
Filter
Receptions
Browse
Locations
Location
Details
Booking
Form Confirmation
Reception
Details
Confirmation
I would like to host an open reception.
I want to join the most interesting reception.
CREATE
ATTEND
SELECT
SELECT
BOOK IT!
JOIN
SUBMIT

32. Your goal is to
optimize the task.
TACTIC #3 | User flows

33. Downloads user flow
Current (March 10, 2016) - 8 Screens, 6 Clicks to accept all T&Cs and get download bits
Click Download
latest
Click REGISTER Click CREATE MY
ACCOUNT
Info: Email
verification
Click link to verify
email
Click ACCEPT Click CONTINUE
DOWNLOAD
Software
downloads
Downloads Log in Register Verify T&Cs More info Get started
Possible for Week of March 14 - 6 Screens, 5 Clicks to accept all T&Cs and get download bits
Click Download
latest
Click REGISTER Click CREATE MY
ACCOUNT
Click ACCEPT Click CONTINUE
DOWNLOAD
Software
downloads
Downloads Log in Register T&Cs More info Get started
Desired for End of March - 4 Screens, 3 Clicks to accept all T&Cs and get download bits
Click Download
latest
Click REGISTER Click CREATE MY
ACCOUNT
Software
downloads
Downloads Log in Register Get started
Email verification not required
Email verification not required T&Cs added to Register Form
New form with
multiple
checkboxes for
T&Cs

34. Home
Browse
& Filter
Receptio
ns
Browse
Location
s
Location
Details
Booking
Form Confirmation
Receptio
n
Details
Confirmat
ion
I would like to host an open reception.
I want to join the most interesting reception.
Cheryl would like to host an open reception at a local
restaurant, so she can choose a restaurant she likes for
people to join.
Cheryl would like to browse existing receptions by
attendees so she can join the most interesting evening
conversation for her.

35. TACTIC #4
Move away from the
data table!

36. Data tables
create information
overload.
TACTIC #4 | Move away from the data table!

38. TACTIC #4 | Move away from the data table!

39. TACTIC #4 | Move away from the data table!

41. TACTIC #4 | Move away from the data table!

42. TACTIC #5
Whitespace

43. ...is the amount of
space between
elements.
TACTIC #5 | Whitespace

44. Breathing room
and balance.
It’s important.
TACTIC #5 | Whitespace

45. ...improves
readability &
shows content
prioritization.
TACTIC #5 | Whitespace

47. The space doesn't
have to actually
be white.
TACTIC #5 | Whitespace

49. TACTIC #6
Guerrilla testing

50. Test 10 minutes
to save 10 days
re-coding.
TACTIC #6 | Guerrilla testing

51. TACTIC #6 | Guerrilla testing

52. TACTIC #6 | Guerrilla testing
Be casual.
Listen; don’t talk.

53. TACTIC #6 | Guerrilla testing
Record if possible.

54. TACTIC #6 | Guerrilla testing
Respect their time.

55. TACTIC #7
User feedback

56. It’s not over once
the solution is live.
TACTIC #7 | User feedback

57. Provide tools for
feedback, bugs &
issues.
TACTIC #7 | User feedback

58. Think about the
details you need to
solve an issue.
TACTIC #7 | User feedback

59. Expose the
feedback to a
wider audience.
TACTIC #7 | User feedback

64. Don’t be afraid
to follow up
with the user!
TACTIC #7 | User feedback

65. 7 user experience tactics
1. User stories
2. Sketching
3. User flows
4. Move away from the data table!
5. Whitespace
6. Guerrilla testing
7. User feedback

66. 10
seconds to make a
good impression
20
minutes to
achieve a goal

67. Research, Personas, User Stories
https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-experience.html
http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/creating-personas/
https://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/agile/user-stories
http://www.romanpichler.com/blog/10-tips-writing-good-user-stories/
Interaction and Visual Design
https://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Essentials-Interaction-Design/dp/0470084111
http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/complete-beginners-guide-to-interaction-design/
https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/interaction-design.html
http://1stwebdesigner.com/graphic-design-basics-elements/
http://www.visualmess.com/
Testing and Feedback
http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/the-art-of-guerrilla-usability-testing/
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Me-Think-Usability/dp/0321344758
http://www.measuringu.com/blog/essential-metrics.php
https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/web-analytics.html
Additional UX Resources

68. Tiffany Nolan Catherine Robson
Manager, User Experience Design
Red Hat, Inc
crobson@redhat.com
@catwrobson
Interaction Designer
Red Hat, Inc
tnolan@redhat.com
@tiffanolan
Connect with usQuestions?

69. THANKS!