The basic tenets of Agile are clear...that is, until teams attempt to seamlessly integrate design practices, processes, & approaches. Philosophical & logistical conflicts (e.g., the role that designers play, the timing of research & design activities) crop up almost routinely. I'll describe how user researchers, user experience designers, and visual designers can effectively embed on Agile teams and collaborate with developers to deliver optimal user experiences. I’ll lay out an ideal project flow from building empathy for our users and their needs through delivery & refinement of solutions that optimally fulfill those needs. The session will include discussion of lessons learned as well as common challenges and how we can address them.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the role that user research plays in defining and prioritizing a team's work.
2. Overcome key challenges that many teams face when attempting to integrate design and Agile.
3. Enable effective, successful team collaboration and deliver outcomes with strong user experiences.