User Stories, And then what?
UI/UX design is a broad field, and there are many important concepts that a good designer must learn along their career. I wanted to share a core principal that I have learned.
Most everyone is familiar with 'User Stories.' e.g.
Great, we have achieved an objective. This story might return:
However, at this point, one of the most important questions is often left out:
Very seldom do users complete a task - and then....unplug their computer. Users are always creating new "and then what" tasks in their minds, as they complete their current task. It is important to note here that as a UI/UX designer, it would be foolish to assume you can know or predict every possible "and then what" task that a particular user may generate. Still, it is critical to be asking the "and then what?" question and trying to come up with relevant answers. E.g.:
These are important questions to ask and are key to any user story. Even if you are only right a small percentage of the time, your users will thank you for trying.
"User Mal wishes to log into application, see list of recent Alliance encounters by outcome."
Great, we have achieved an objective. This story might return:
Caught by Alliance cruiser, crew interrogated, cargo taken.
However, at this point, one of the most important questions is often left out:
And then what?
Very seldom do users complete a task - and then....unplug their computer. Users are always creating new "and then what" tasks in their minds, as they complete their current task. It is important to note here that as a UI/UX designer, it would be foolish to assume you can know or predict every possible "and then what" task that a particular user may generate. Still, it is critical to be asking the "and then what?" question and trying to come up with relevant answers. E.g.:
See list of successful capers?Plot revenge?
Blame the Doc?
Browse cheap ship sensor upgrade deals on Amazon.com?Purge all records of this event from system memory (Make sumpin' up)?
These are important questions to ask and are key to any user story. Even if you are only right a small percentage of the time, your users will thank you for trying.
Ok, so - now what?
