A discussion in how we can better ask and offer support within our teams when projects and situations occur that are unexpected or non-ideal. This presentation was paired with a live-demo and discussion.

1. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
#SupportUX

2. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
● UX Designer
● EPAM Systems
● Philadelphia, PA
#SupportUX

3. CTRL+Z
A UX Support Group

4. “Experience is
what you get
when you didn’t
get what you
want.”
- Randy Pausch

5. Survey:
A Show of Hands

6. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
Berated by a colleague
The Newsroom, HBO

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Not told what to actually change
Dexter, Showtime

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Personally Attacked
Mad Men, AMC

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Faced with Silence

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Minnesota Nice

11. Survey:
Hands are still up

12. The Challenge
Case Study

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Empathy is Key
Bruce Almighty

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We are the worst examples
Battlestar Galactica, SyFy

15. We cannot offer kudos and
praise without also
supporting one another
through more challenging
experiences

16. How:
3 Methods

17. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
1. The Critique’s Critique
Agents of Shield, ABC

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Today’s Process
● Quick emails
● Skype
● Slack
● Basecamp

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What’s Missing: Empathy
● Motivations
● Context
● Personal Investment
● Support and Awareness

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Solutions
● Face to Face follow up (#face2facesales)
● Require individual interpretations
● Support your team

21. The Critique’s Critique
Case Study

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2. Good Cop Bad Cop
The Lego Movie

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Today’s Process is Good Cop
● Notes
● Schedule Management
● Support Client/Team Needs

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What’s Missing: Bad Cop
The Lego Movie

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Benefits & Solutions
● Safety Net / Barrier
● Mitigate Frustration
● Fresh Perspective
● YOU MUST ASK FOR IT!

26. Good Cop, Bad Cop
Case Study

27. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
3. The Stakeholder Interview
Daredevil, Netflix

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Today’s Process

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What’s Missing: People
● The ‘Why Bother’
● Understanding / Care
● Motivations / Desires

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Solution: Conversations

31. Stakeholder Interview
Case Study

32. When?
Every. Single. Day.

33. Time for some improv
Showtime

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Volunteers Assemble!
● Project Manager
● Tech Lead
● Umpire
● and the front row...

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Set the Stage
It’s the end of Sprint 3. The agency of repute
and client team have gathered to review
progress and to solicit feedback on the latest
designs and features.
Let’s watch

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Afterwards...
After the meeting, the consultants return to their
offices to continue work on the project. The
following is unscripted.
Let’s watch.

39. Lessons Learned
Wrap Up

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Team Support is not Natural
Game of Thrones, HBO

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Support is a Basic Need

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We are already trained
Ghostbusters

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So…
● Nobody is a stranger to experience
● Debrief sessions – in person
● Good cop/bad cop – team support
● Stakeholder Interviews – individual support
● All at no cost to time, budget or scope!

44. #supportUX @dafark8 June 2015 GIANT 2015, Charleston SC
Let’s Enable Stronger Teams

45. Thank you
no, seriously. You rock.