Description:

User research methods are typically applied to UX and UI based software enhancements. Best practices in user research can have far reaching benefits to developer teams creating high code solutions. In this teaching session, I offer a background in what the discipline of research can bring to the open source development process. I will review distinct methodologies of research and when best to apply a methodology. Finally the group will workshop to make a python code contribution based on findings from the workshop. By the end of the course, you’ll know:

• What is design thinking and using it for problem identification and opportunities
• Use a working backward approach to think through jobs to be done and higher orders wants and needs you are looking to solve for
• Conduct high quality interviews and benefits of using qualitative research methodologies
• Contributing to complex experiences to open source projects in a way that fosters community contributions

Talk Outline

• Design thinking (.5 hrs)
  • What is it?
  • Why is it important in the innovation cycle?
  • How to do it?
  • Identifying scaled needs
• Jobs to be done (1.5 hrs)
  • How do you identify a persona?
  • Creating a persona framework
  • How to create jobs to be done ?
  • What details are useful to offer a jobs to be done framework
• Exploratory research (1 hr)
  • Selective vs. comparative processing
  • Benefits of conducting unbiased interviews
  • Best practices in cataloging and synthesizing data from interviews
• Feature enhancements by anchoring on user experience (1 hr)
  • Using data for iterative incremental improvements in design
  • Creating RTF, reviewing and committing to code

Prerequisites:

Basic coding skills and an understanding on the process of open source contributions.

Speaker Info:

Aparna Sundar is a Lead Researcher at OpenSearch Project. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of research and design and actively publishes in the cognitive science domain. She has given over 50 talks and has been invited to be on speaker panels on various topics ranging from technology improvements, research, design, and contributions to cognitive science theories.

Speaker Links:

*https://mices.co (https://mices.co/) *https://www.forbes.com/video/4887417809001/the-science-behind-brands-colors/?sh=149e86363f99 * https://youtu.be/KUggfqETP5w