User Centered Design: Going to the market, as fast as possible!

Tip #10: Going to market as fast as possible should never mean skipping stages of design.

« This plan is too long. How can we shorten it at least half as short? » « We’ve already defined the strategy. We aim to showcase our future product at the trade fair in 6 months. » « We don’t need to all that time. We know exactly what our users need! »

At the opposite of these declarations we could find: « We’ll take all the time needed, without any constraints of any kinds, and the product will be released only when it’s perfect! »

So what is the right level of design before launching a product? Or a better question: Will we achieve our goals with this product if we launch it without the minimal operations of design needed to ensure its success with our users or customers?

The retro-thinking comes with these steps:

1- What is needed to achieve success?

2- How can we do or produce that?

3- What can we do to secure it?

4- How much time it will take?

Then you get your plan. Then you know if it’s feasible to launch in 6 months. Then you know what could happen if you bypass your plan, to shorten it and reduce expenses. Then you can inform your colleagues or managers about the risk involved.

Luc-Olivier Lafeuille

linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucolivier/
web: https://asitech.fr/home-en

All the tips on the Medium publication “Design Tips” or in French “Conseils de Conception”.

Drawing of Julie Lafeuille
linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lafeuille/