End users first. That doesn’t quite make sense! But that is exactly where we always start. What does the end user of the software want to achieve?
In agile terms, what are the user stories?
Software development can be full of strange analogies; our job at Purple Crane is to simplify them for business owners.
What do your teams (and customers) want to achieve? We always start with the people.
How can data be used to make decisions, spot trends, make workflow more efficient?
Does it work? Can it be improved?
Let’s tweak it.
We ask lots of questions before we ever start coding, to ensure that people are at the centre of any development work. People first.
Conduct User Research
The first step is to understand who the users are, what they need, and how they interact with similar software. This can be achieved through surveys, interviews, user personas, and reviewing existing data. The insights gained from user research inform the entire design process. It comes to life!
Create User-centred Prototypes
The next step is to develop prototypes that reflect user needs and preferences. These prototypes are tested with real users to gather feedback and identify any areas for improvement. Iterating on prototypes based on user feedback ensures the design evolves in line with expectations.
Involve Users Throughout Development
End users are involved throughout the development process, from early-stage testing to final usability assessments. This ongoing collaboration helps ensure that the software continues to meet user needs as it evolves.
Prioritise Accessibility
A key aspect of user-centric design is always accessibility. The software is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that it is usable by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. This not only broadens the potential user base but also aligns with accessibility standards.
Continuous Improvement
User needs and expectations change over time, so it’s essential to view user-centric design as an ongoing process. Even after the software is launched, gathering user feedback and making iterative improvements helps keep the product relevant and effective.
By keeping the end-user at the centre of the design and development process, companies can create software that is not only functional but also intuitive, engaging, and satisfying to use.
We know that this approach leads to greater buyin, greater customer satisfaction, and better business outcomes, making it a critical component of successful software development.
When software delivers a truly satisfying user experience, businesses can achieve higher retention rates, better user productivity, and ultimately, a stronger return on investment.
Do you think good software matters? Do end users’ matter? We think so.
