Beyond Speed: Nurturing Quality in Agile Design
Agile methodologies have become the cornerstone in modern day product development as it promises fastened deliveries and improved efficiency. And it is a common myth that agile methodology is for faster product development. It is in fact a faster methodology when compared to the waterfall model. The real goal of agile is not to build products faster. It is to get products in front of users faster and get their feedback and work on it continuously.
In the race of delivering multiple features or products, the true essence of agile is often lost. Companies deliver feature after feature without proper iteration or even measuring the quality of the features they are developing. Teams are fixated on the quantity of output rather than the quality and thereby fostering a “feature factory” culture.
Identifying the root cause:
The feature factory trend happens in organisations which focus on creating more products or features rather than a few good features or products(quantity over quality). This trend often leads to technical or UX debts which in turn affects the overall user experience of their products. Why do organisations fall prey to this myth? Competition, the pressure to meet perceived industry standards, and the relentless pursuit of catching up often drive this mindset.
Challenges for Designers:
When an organisation is obsessed with the quantity of products, it creates a huge challenge for the team, especially the designers. Unrealistic timeline set by the top of the organisation leaves little time for the designers to iterate or brainstorm and come up with better solutions. The time required for research and design is usually neglected.
How can Designers fix the issue:
Breaking free from the agile myth is no easy feat, particularly when it stems from the top of the organisational hierarchy. However, we designers can advocate for realistic timelines and explain the importance of research.
Usability Testing: Conduct usability testing of the previous features or products. Check the performance of past features and inquire about user satisfaction.
Challenge unrealistic requests: Inform the organisation that good design takes time and research.
Shifting focus from “Done” to “Useful and Usable”: Encourage focus on outcomes and iterative processes. Designs should not be just shipped, they should be successful in achieving intended results.
Conclusion:
In the world of agile, it’s time to debunk the myth that speed is the sole measure of success. Designers and researchers must champion a more holistic approach that values both speed and meaningful design. Breaking free from the ‘feature factory’ mentality requires a cultural shift, emphasising quality, user satisfaction, and iterative improvement.
Reference: https://www.interaction-design.org/
