Prodity: Product by Design

Product roadmaps can be an extraordinary tool, or an extraordinary pain. It all depends on how we create them and use them. In this episode, we tackle product roadmaps, what they are, what they aren't, and how to get the most out of your roadmap. We also sprinkle in some pumpkin spice, because we all love pumpkin spice.Notes:What a roadmap isn'tWhat a roadmap isWhat is its purposeWhat are the principles in creating a roadmapWhat are the components of a roadmapWho should be involvedLinks:Product Roadmaps: Love, Hate (& Hate) articleTwitter thread

If you like Netflix, Audible, motorcycles, movies, or online shopping, we've got examples from all of the above and more. Join us for a thorough analysis of key usability principles and how many of the products you use incorporate them (or don't).Links from the episode:10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface DesignGoogle slides from our showSlidesgo Templates

In this episode we have a great conversation about product strategy, where design fits in strategy, and how to involve your product team, including UX designers in the strategy and vision.Where does strategy fit?What are the major headaches for product managers?What difficulties are there in getting support for product strategy?How can we create the product vision, strategy and measure it to ensure success?We also tackle other important questions:Star Trek, Star Wars, or Battlestar Galactica?What is a Timberking 2000 and why Kyle needs one

Why don't teams have designers?What can you do if you don't have a designer?Get inspirations from wherever you canFind tools and libraries to leverageUtilize UI kitsWhat if you have a little budget for contract work?There are some good options such as UpworkUnderstand and be upfront about your budget, timeline and scaleLinks from our discussion:Collect UIDribbleAdele UXPinJakob Neilsen 10 Heuristics of UI DesignCanva Presentation Templates

We cover an array of topics, includingJordan's background before designHow he got into designHow he moved into product design from graphic designHow is background contributed to the moveWhat he wished he knew before

What is inclusivity?How does it align with accessibility?Why is inclusivity important in product design and development?How can we begin to identify and overcome some of our own blind spots?References:Why does Siri sound white?Census Data

Very few of us take a straight-line path into product management, and Chris is no exception. He talks about how his background helped prepare him for a career in product management, and what he learned along the way to help him be successful.A few things Chris wishes he knew coming into product management:Product managers often make decisions without all the information. How can we better prepare for this?Not everyone understands the value of product management. How can we do better?Product management is incredibly fun. As much hard work as it is, there are few careers as rewarding.Listen for a ton of other great information on moving into product management, the origin of Doritos, hamburgers, and using tacos to gauge your purchasing habits. 

What is product discovery?It is the process of building great productsIt is about building the right product and ensuring we build the product rightWhy is product discovery important?We need to address risks in product developmentHow do we do product discovery?How does remote work impact product discovery?We need to think about communicationWhat are some examples?

What is design thinking?EmpathizingDefiningIdeatingPrototypingTestingImplementingWhy is design thinking important?"Design thinking gets us out of our normal way of doing business and opens the door to numerous possibilities"How can we implement design thinking?What are the most important aspects?Links and mentions:Design thinking framework (Nielson Norman Group) Sprint (book)Lightning Decision Jam

What is user research?A tool to understand needsA way to find out what you don't knowWhat are types of research?InterviewsFocus groupsField studiesUsability testsSurveysQuestionnairesmany more...Why do research?To inform the design, the direction and gather insight"Be ready to be surprised"TipsHave a planDo it oftenDoesn't have to be perfectAdopt the mindset of a scientistHave fun and get the repsVolunteer to be on the other side to understand what it's likeReferenced in the show:User Research BasicsStop doing user research. Start having conversations.