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About
A six-month research project was conducted to explore how User-Centered Design (UCD) can be integrated into the Agile Software Development (ASD) process employed by the client. This integration is often referred to as Agile User-Centered Design Integration (AUCDI) or Agile UX.
Literature Review
Most integration approaches discussed in the literature are at a low level of abstraction, as they primarily rely on anecdotal evidence. The reviewed literature also revealed a lack of detailed analysis regarding the dimensions for selecting and applying an integration approach within an organization.
Research Questions
Two research questions were formulated:
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What are the aspects to consider when selecting an integration approach?
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Based on these aspects, what is the best-fit approach for the client?
Methodology
Data collection methods included:
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Observation: Documenting workflows and team interactions within the Agile process.
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Focus Group Discussion: Engaging stakeholders to gather insights and identify pain points.
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Interviews: Conducting in-depth discussions with peers to uncover nuanced challenges.
Findings
The research identified 11 potential challenges related to integrating UCD with Agile development at the client. Key issues included:
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Misalignment between UCD processes and Agile workflows.
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Limited awareness of UCD practices within Agile teams.
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Difficulty maintaining consistent user focus during rapid iterations.
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Low developer retention rates and dependency on external hires.
Proposed Solution
The selected approach is known in literature as the Specialist Approach. It introduces a Usability Master role to oversee the UCD process. This role is crucial for ensuring continuous alignment between UCD and Agile by:
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Leading UCD initiatives.
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Raising awareness of UCD practices within the development team.
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Facilitating activities to incorporate user feedback into Agile workflows.