What do you do if you need to apply advanced problem solving techniques in UX?

One of my favorite ways of understanding problems is trying to break them into smaller problems. Once you have smaller issues following are the steps I use to understand them in greater detail: - Study user behavior by looking at analytics. Modern analytics are very powerful tools to understand how users use any product. You can use tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude Analytics, FullStory, Hotjar, or any custom solution. - Sometimes it's easier to talk to customers about their issues and pain points. It is also invaluable to understand their goals and challenges. - Surveys, unmoderated user tests, in-context feedback from tools like Pendo or Chameleon fall between the above two steps to gather user feedback.

Start by clearly defining the problem and understanding user needs. Utilize methods like design thinking, prototyping, and user testing to generate innovative solutions. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, gather diverse perspectives, and iterate based on feedback. Embrace creativity, stay adaptable, and always prioritize the user experience above all else.

The first step in applying advanced problem-solving techniques in UX is to thoroughly understand the issues at hand. This involves a deep dive into user data to uncover not just what users are doing, but why they are doing it. Techniques like contextual inquiries and user diaries help in capturing a rich, detailed understanding of user interactions, pains, and needs. This comprehensive view is critical in identifying the true underlying problems that need to be addressed.

Team up with a UX professional who has a proven track record in what you are trying to accomplish. A great UX mentor can save you many headaches :)

- I'll start by thoroughly understanding the problem and its context through research and analysis. - Then, I'll brainstorm creative solutions and evaluate them based on user needs and feasibility. - I'll prototype and test the solutions iteratively to refine them and ensure they effectively address the problem.

Once the problem is clearly understood, the next step is to ideate solutions. In my experience, employing a combination of divergent and convergent thinking is highly effective. Techniques like brainstorming sessions, where all ideas are welcome, followed by a refinement phase where ideas are narrowed down based on feasibility and impact, ensure a creative yet practical approach to problem-solving. Keeping user needs at the forefront during ideation helps in developing solutions that are both innovative and user-centric.

Rigorous prototyping is crucial in translating ideas into tangible solutions. Starting with low-fidelity prototypes like sketches or wireframes allows for quick feedback and iteration without a significant investment of resources. As the design evolves, creating high-fidelity prototypes that simulate real user interactions can provide deeper insights into usability and user experience, ensuring the final product is well-tuned to meet user expectations.

Validating hypotheses through user testing is a key step in the problem-solving process. Setting up usability tests and A/B testing scenarios provides concrete data on how real users interact with the design. This feedback is invaluable in confirming assumptions or highlighting areas for improvement. Iteratively refining the design based on this feedback ensures that the solution effectively resolves the user problems identified in the initial stages of the process.

A UX solution is never complete – even if it were possible to create a solution that perfectly meets the needs of the users, those needs aren't static. Users' needs change over time, so it's important to constantly be collecting feedback through usability testing and analytics to see how your solution is being used and where the areas for improvement are. In my opinion, a combination of qualitative and quantitative feedback is necessary. It can be dangerous to base decisions purely on only qualitative or quantitative feedback.