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Agile UX in distributed teams

Agile UX in distributed teams

Distribution is the reality of many teams, and working at a distance quickly brings in silo behaviours and processes. From my experience of working in and coaching distributed teams, I’ll share how to work well in agile distributed teams, and in particular how to not isolate yourself from the development.

I’ll share how you can:

Maximise adoption of video call over telephone or voice only
Leverage the power of chat to overcome language mastery issues
Apply Lean Startup methods to working together as a team
Share work that is still in progress
Use demos to show the work done, not the output
Use development agile practices to get buy-in from the team, such as iterative highlights, debt, 100 point stories
Welcome disruption from the rest of the team
Work across timezones

I’m still discovering how to work best with distributed teams, and love this challenge. I’m currently working with Pearson, the Education publisher, where distribution is there to stay, and it’s giving me plenty of opportunities to experiment tools and practices.

Sophie Freiermuth

March 13, 2015
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  1. Agile UX in Distributed Teams Sophie FREIERMUTH, UX consultant 


    & Director at Baguette UX Tweet! I’m 
 @wickedgeekie" you’re at #AgileUX15
  2. @wickedgeekie Foreword • Agile UX… in Agile teams • I

    will not talk about software to co-design • This applies to exploration and delivery
  3. @wickedgeekie Lean Startup mentality FTW • Start state: extreme uncertainty

    • How do we work together beyond the rituals? • Power plays
  4. @wickedgeekie How others perceive you 1. Use technology smartly for

    best results: • Go HD • Sound > Video I like Google Hangout, Zoom
  5. @wickedgeekie How others perceive you 1. Use technology smartly for

    best results 2. Close ups vs, group shots 3. Room-cameras, the ultimate trust (build that first!)
  6. @wickedgeekie Leveraging the power of chat ! • Show up

    • Say hi! • Duplicate key info (URLs, Login details) on email
  7. @wickedgeekie Leveraging the power of chat ! • Show up

    • Say hi! • Duplicate key info (URLs, Login details) on email • Use it when there is a language barrier
  8. @wickedgeekie Leveraging the power of chat ! • Show up

    • Say hi! • Duplicate key info (URLs, Login details) on email • Use it when there is a language barrier I like: HipChat, Google
  9. @wickedgeekie Welcoming disruption • Find your signature welcome
 Mine is

    “how can I help?” • “Reacting to change over having a plan” is the game
  10. @wickedgeekie Be visible over time Share task progress and work

    in progress • Wiki / Folders + versioning • Story Ticket: break it down and tick it off I like: Trello’s checklists
  11. @wickedgeekie Maximum visibility to build understanding and trust • The

    story of how the work got done • Acknowledge contributions • Beyond outputs, outline outcomes
  12. @wickedgeekie Agile-out of tricky spots • Deep dives (spikes) •

    UX debt • 100pt stories • Plannings are for early warnings + “yes, and”
  13. @wickedgeekie When you can’t overhear conversations Signs something is going

    on you should be aware of: • outputs “appear” • work “doesn’t get done” yet people are busy • Front end decisions made without your involvement
  14. @wickedgeekie Across Time Zones You have to find time together

    • Work from home • Break your working day in chunks • Help others understand when you’re at work, block off “out of office” hours on your calendar
  15. @wickedgeekie Sometimes, distribution is not the answer • Proximity over

    talent • Distribution brings in: • additional risks • more work
  16. @wickedgeekie It’s all about collaboration • Experience + creativity +

    buy-in = ∞ • Buy-in implies rapport and relationship