Dismantle your product for design requirements definition
How to create a brief description of your product to start your UX design process.
On my previous post I suggested how close the relationship between UX and the branding process is. Combining the two may lead you to an integrated process that will contribute to understanding the product goals and needs and will help to create the ideal overall experience of your new interactive product.
Now, let’s get to business.
The first stage of creating the project brief and kicking-off the process with a UX designer is defining your product and sharing your insights, clarifying the important product specs and needs at the first introduction of the product. Here are some points which will help you focus your brief and explain your needs better. These points are great for UX designers as well, I recommend using them as a starting point prior a meeting with a potential client. it really helps to coordinate expectations with a potential client and understand their needs, prior to meeting with them.
1. Explain what is your product for
Give your finest product description, think of it as the first time this person has heard about your product. Write the requirements, platforms types, kind of applications and etc.
2. Clarify your needs
Specify the needs and insights behind the project and explain what kind of solutions the product will provide.
3. The users
Define your target users. Give a short example of 5 to 10 different kinds of target users for your product. Describe their motivation to use your product, the differences between them and what the ideal product usage for each one of them could be.
4. Users behaviors
Describe what the users do and how they feel and think. Explain how should the product help the users and change the way they currently behave.
5. Product solutions
Ask yourself why should users believe in your product and why not? Explain all the key points of your product strengths and weaknesses. Don’t hold out any critical information.
6. Marketing considerations
Prioritize the go-to-market stages and planning. Where should you reach the users and why there and not somewhere else?
7. The single most important thing
Write down the most important input and conclusions you have so far. Give examples of the challenges you are dealing with, how did you come to this conclusions and what is the most important things the designer should put emphasis on during the process.
8. Competitors and inspirations
Count your competitors and references. Add links and details for each one of them, the more the merrier. Define the differences between your product and the competitors, explain your advantages and weaknesses compared to them. This information will contribute to understanding of the visual environment and context of the product and defining the best positioning for it.
9. Special issues
Write the products practical considerations and limitations, along with any special requirements and technical notes, for example, if you already have begun developing, if you have any special business objectives, requirements, and specific goals for the go-to-market, deadlines and etc.
10. Budget
It’s always great to give your budget for initial expectations.
Bonus tip: Read
I also recommend to reading some articles about interactive product design before you start the project. This article will give you the main idea about lean UX, if you want to know more about the process Requirements Gathering, 7 Steps To A Successful Brand and another interesting article about the Pinterest product design process of being the next shop front.
