UX professionals’ learning and usage of UX methods in agile

Abstract

The usage of User Experience (UX) methods has been studied through the years. However, little is known about UX professionals’ lifelong learning processes related to UX methods in Agile, choosing what UX methods to use, and the enablers and hindrances for using the UX methods. The study aims to broaden current knowledge about UX professionals’ lifelong learning practices to understand their work situations better. The paper describes how UX professionals learn about and choose UX methods, their frequency of use, and the enablers and barriers when using the UX methods in Agile. An interview study was conducted with 13 UX professionals from various industries and two countries working with Agile and UX. We used a qualitative approach, and a thematic analysis was carried out to answer the research questions. The results show that support from colleagues is an essential component for learning about the methods and how to use UX methods. Time pressure makes UX professionals choose methods they know will deliver their desired results. Prototyping, user testing, user journeys, and workshops are the most frequently used UX methods. Additionally, the results show that UX professionals think that the UX methods are often too complicated and take too long to learn. Additionally, they find it challenging to integrate UX methods into Agile. These findings indicate that UX methods might work better if designed to be less complicated and deliver results more efficiently. Moreover, collegial and peer learning is central to UX professionals. The HCI community could be more active in supporting this culture by sharing information and learning. Finally, the usability and UX of the tools affect which UX methods are used.