“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Amanda Gelb
“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda GelbSummaryIn this conversation, Naresh Shan and Amanda Gelb discuss the critical role of workshops in design and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, exploring strategies for effectively communicating the value of workshops, managing group dynamics, and harnessing divergent opinions. They emphasize the necessity of clear agendas and objectives, understanding participants' needs, and the significance of collaboration and the role of play in fostering creativity. Amanda highlights the importance of workshop facilitation skills as a bridge from individual contributor to design leader, sharing insights on navigating conflicts, enhancing collaboration and decision-making within organizations, and providing practical techniques for successful workshop facilitation. The discussion also touches on the need for better representation of workshop skills in design education and social media, while emphasizing the necessity of being a leader in the design space.Takeaways· Workshops can be a waste of time if not structured properly.· Clear objectives and next steps are crucial for effective workshops.· Diverse opinions can lead to conflict, but they can also drive innovation.· Facilitators should give themselves permission to interrupt when necessary.· Using playful methods like Lego can enhance engagement in workshops.· Understanding your audience is key to successful facilitation.· Conflict capture techniques can help manage disagreements.· Workshops should be designed with the end goal in mind.· Collaboration skills are essential for effective workshop facilitation.· Leaders must be proactive in guiding discussions and decisions. Chapters00:48 - Exploring Key Themes01:49 - Setting the Stage for a Comfortable Conversation03:44 - The Importance of Workshops in Design06:49 - Understanding the Role of a Workshop Facilitator09:54 - Navigating Workshop Dynamics and Decision-Making12:51 - Balancing Inclusivity and Efficiency in Workshops15:57 - Strategies for Effective Workshop Outcomes18:51 - Overcoming FOMO and Ensuring Engagement21:43 - The Leadership Role in Workshop Facilitation24:59 - The Importance of Workshops in Leadership28:23 - Creating Collaborative Spaces for Effective Workshops33:47 - Navigating Conflict and Divergent Opinions40:01 - Building Confidence in Moderation and Collaboration44:15 - The Role of Cross-Functional Leadership46:40 - Innovative Workshop Techniques: LEGO Serious Play44:42 - The Importance of Stakeholder Buy-In 51:21 - Effective Communication in Workshops 54:32 - The Role of Workshops in Design 54:32 - Evangelizing Workshop Skills Don't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/valueuxconf
Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle LansfordSummaryIn this episode of the Modus Operandi podcast, hosts Naresh Shan and Noelle Lansford delve into the complexities of collaboration between designers and developers, highlighting the challenges of communication, onboarding, and the impact of daily design changes on development processes. They discuss the importance of understanding MVP in product management, the need for governance in product backlogs, and the role of UX in product strategy. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for designers to learn to say no, the value of data-driven decisions, and the future of UX in organizations, particularly at the C-suite level. Takeaways· Collaboration issues between designers and developers stem from cultural differences.· Onboarding processes are often inadequate, leading to confusion and inefficiency.· Effective communication is crucial for successful handovers between design and development teams.· Daily changes in design can complicate development processes and lead to scope creep.· Learning to say no is essential for designers to maintain project integrity.· Understanding the concept of MVP is critical for product managers and designers alike.· Governance in product backlogs can help streamline processes and improve outcomes.· UX should be recognized as a vital component of product strategy at the C-suite level.· Data-driven decisions can enhance the influence of design in product development.· The future of UX may involve more strategic roles within organizations. Chapters01:23 - Introduction to Unscripted Conversations01:44 - Collaboration Challenges Between Designers and Developers05:29 - The Importance of Onboarding in Design and Development07:58 - Communication and Handover Processes11:29 - Managing Design Changes and Scope Creep17:25 - Setting Boundaries in Design23:54 - Understanding MVP vs. MDP30:54 - Governance in Product Backlogs32:47 - Governance and Lead Time in Product Development34:58 - The Cost of Pivoting and Its Cultural Implications38:52 - Using Numbers Wisely in Design41:58 - The Role of Product Managers and Long-Term Strategy45:55 - The Gap Between Design and Business Strategy49:58 - The Need for Dedicated UX Product Teams55:53 - The Importance of Proving UX Value to the C-SuiteDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/valueuxconf
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"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Kate Towsey
"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Act 02 - Scene 38 - Kate TowseySummaryIn this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan speaks with Kate Towsey, a prominent figure in the field of research operations. They discuss the evolution and current state of research ops, the importance of democratizing research, and the role of researchers in product development. Kate emphasises the need for strong research leadership and the integration of AI as a strategic partner in research processes. The conversation also touches on the future of research methodologies and the importance of building effective research repositories to enhance organisational knowledge.TakeawaysKate Towsey is a well-known figure in the field of research operations.Research ops is growing despite layoffs in the industry.Companies recognise the need for research, but may not see the need for dedicated researchers.Democratisation of research allows various roles to conduct research.Research leaders play a crucial role in guiding research strategy.AI can enhance research processes, but should be viewed as a teammate.Effective research repositories are crucial for knowledge sharing.Research methodologies will evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence.Building relationships with stakeholders is crucial to shaping the research culture.Understanding organisational priorities can help researchers align their efforts. Chapters00:48 - Introduction and Setting the Stage02:18 - Kate Towsey's Journey into Research Operations05:22 - The Current State of Research Ops08:17 - Democratisation of Research and Its Implications11:21 - Quality of Research in a Democratized Environment14:14 - The Role of Researchers in Organisations17:18 - Challenges and Opportunities for Research Ops19:49 - The Role of Researchers in Product Development21:47 - Rethinking Product Development Life Cycle23:58 - The Need for Research Leadership26:39 - Translating Research into Business Language29:20 - Leveraging AI in Research34:30 - AI as a Team Member in Research38:47 - Synthetic Users and Research Optimisation43:10 - The Evolving Role of Research in Design45:14 - Methodologies in Flux: The Future of Research48:37 - Research as the Spine of Organisations53:59 - Influencing Change: The Path to Research IntegrationDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/valueuxconf
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Modus Operandi - Episode 3 - Alchemy of Influence - Feat. Miranda Slayter
Modus Operandi - Episode 3 - Alchemy of Influence - Featuring Miranda SlayterIn this conversation, Naresh Shan and Miranda Slayter delve into the evolving role of UX designers, emphasising the importance of education, strategic thinking, and collaboration within organisations. They discuss the challenges designers face in being recognised for their value, the impact of design systems on creativity, and the necessity of building trust with stakeholders. The dialogue underscores the importance of designers influencing product direction while holding leadership accountable for cultivating a culture that prioritises UX. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of long-term thinking in design and the role of designers as disruptors in the industry.TakeawaysUX designers must educate stakeholders about the value they bring.Design maturity varies significantly across organisations.Many designers feel underutilised in their roles.Strategic thinking is becoming essential for UX designers.Design systems can limit creativity and flexibility.Building trust with stakeholders is crucial for influence.Setting boundaries is essential for the designer's well-being.Long-term thinking is often neglected in product management.Modernising UI can be challenging to quantify in business value.Design leadership should take responsibility for educating the organisation.Chapters01:12 – The Role of UX Designers in Education10:45 – The Shift Towards Strategic UX17:56 – The Impact of Design Systems on Creativity27:53 – Influencing Stakeholders in UX Design30:36 – Modernising Legacy Interfaces32:23 – Involvement in Planning Meetings35:54 – Navigating Stakeholder Relationships37:06 – Challenging Bad Ideas40:55 – Building Trust as a Designer46:07 – Setting Boundaries in Design49:09 – Proving Value as a Designer50:56 – Accountability in Design LeadershipDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/valueuxconf
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“Research is a Slow Process, but Valuable” – Theo Johnson
“Research is a slow process, but valuable” – Act 02 – Scene 37 – Theo JohnsonSummaryIn this episode, Naresh Shan speaks with Theo Johnson, a senior UX researcher at Microsoft. They discuss the challenges and intricacies of UX research within large corporate organisations, the importance of storytelling in presenting research findings, and the evolving role of AI in the research process. Theo shares insights on how researchers can better integrate their work into product development and the necessity of maintaining active research repositories. The conversation also touches on the potential of synthetic users in research and the ongoing struggle researchers face in demonstrating their value throughout the product lifecycle.Takeaways· UX researchers often struggle to pitch their value in organisations.· The process of UX research can be slow, but it is essential for product development.· Storytelling is a crucial skill for UX researchers to communicate findings effectively.· AI tools can enhance the efficiency of UX research, but should not replace human insight.Maintaining active research repositories is crucial for ongoing product development.· Researchers need to advocate for their work to be integrated into product backlogs.· The reality is that much of the research conducted may not make it into production.Synthetic users present a fascinating yet uncertain future for UX research.· Data analysis skills are increasingly crucial for UX researchers.· Building relationships with stakeholders can help researchers gain visibility and influence.Chapters00:48 - Setting the Stage for UX Research 02:07 - The Role of UX Research in Corporate Structures 05:12 - Challenges in UX Research Implementation 08:15 - The Importance of Continuous Discovery 11:20 - Leveraging Repositories for Research 14:09 - The Value of Storytelling in UX Research 25:14 - Understanding Stakeholder Needs 28:16 - Turning Insights into Action 31:21 - The Reality of Research Implementation 33:42 - The Role of Data in Research 37:50 - AI's Impact on Research 44:19 - The Future of User Research Keywords Don't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/valueuxconf
The Aligned Podcast Show, formerly DesignOps Aligned, is the essential listen for everyone who shapes digital products. From UX and UI creators to product managers, engineers, researchers, and delivery leads, we decode the playbooks, mindsets, and metrics that turn bold ideas into market-ready experiences. Expect candid conversations with trailblazing leaders and hands on practitioners, reusable frameworks that transform creativity into repeatable results, and a front row seat to the trends ranging from AI powered tools to outcome driven road mapping. If you build, ship, or champion digital products, hit Subscribe and turn every episode into an edge that levels up your craft and drives real business impact.
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