Working With Complex Products: Explaining WCAG Principles

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Hatched by Glasp

Aug 22, 2023

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Working With Complex Products: Explaining WCAG Principles

When it comes to working with complex products, one of the most crucial aspects is understanding the needs and problems of your target audience before even developing a concept for a product. This initial discovery for customer segmentation is essential to ensure that your solutions are not just solutions looking for problems. By truly understanding the segment and its pain points, you can develop products that address specific needs and provide real value.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with various companies and hold different roles. These experiences have shaped my product philosophy over the years. One key lesson I've learned is the importance of adopting a beginner's mind and not assuming anything when starting on a new team or project. This mindset allows me to approach each project with fresh eyes and truly understand the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.

If you're looking to transition from a software background into product management, it's important to consider the type of work you want to do within the realm of PM. Product management roles can vary greatly, so take some time to think about what you want your day-to-day responsibilities to look like. Once you have a clear idea, you can fit that into a PM "archetype" that aligns with your goals and interests.

Working with complex and enterprise products, such as those at Facebook, can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. One key to success is appreciating the nuances of these products and finding win-win-win solutions. By focusing on the user and understanding their needs, we can craft strategies and decisions that benefit all stakeholders involved. This includes working closely with engineering, design, and partnerships to ensure a cohesive product strategy.

Now, let's shift our focus to the WCAG principles, specifically the Perceivable guideline. This principle can be broken down into four guidelines: text alternatives, time-based media, adaptability, and distinguishability. Each guideline plays a crucial role in making digital content perceivable for all users.

Guideline 1.1, Text Alternatives, emphasizes the importance of providing text alternatives for non-text content. This ensures that users who may not be able to see or access certain content can still understand its meaning. By including descriptive text alternatives in the code, we make our content inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Guideline 1.2, Time-Based Media, highlights the need for captions and transcripts for audio and video content. This is particularly important for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who prefer to consume content without sound. By providing captions and transcripts, we ensure that all users can access and understand the information presented in time-based media.

Guideline 1.3, Adaptable, focuses on presenting content in different ways without losing information. This means that users should be able to customize the way they perceive and interact with content. By offering options for font size, color contrast, and other personalization features, we create a more inclusive and adaptable user experience.

Guideline 1.4, Distinguishable, emphasizes the need for content to be easily distinguishable from its background. This is particularly important for users with visual impairments or color blindness. By ensuring a clear contrast between foreground and background elements, we make it easier for users to perceive and navigate our content.

To effectively implement these WCAG principles, there are three key practices that I recommend:

  • 1. Understand the space you're in with an open mind. Take the time to dive deep into the problems you are trying to solve. Talk to people, read about the industry, and immerse yourself in the subject matter. This allows you to gain valuable customer insights and understand the existing market landscape.
  • 2. Be clear about your point of view and back it up with compelling data. When making decisions, it's important to have a clear perspective and be able to articulate why you believe it is the right approach. Use both qualitative and quantitative data to support your arguments and make informed decisions.
  • 3. Ask yourself why you want to pursue a given role and ensure it aligns with your passions and interests. Product management is a diverse field, and it's important to choose a role that you genuinely enjoy and find fulfilling. Consider what aspects of the job excite you and align with your skills and interests.

In conclusion, working with complex products requires a deep understanding of your target audience and their needs. By adopting a beginner's mind, focusing on impact, and understanding the perspectives of all stakeholders, you can navigate the challenges and create successful products. Additionally, by following the WCAG principles of perceivability and implementing practices such as providing text alternatives, captions, adaptable content, and distinguishable elements, you can ensure that your digital content is accessible to all users.

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