Shifting Our Team Goals to be UX Outcomes: A Path to Success in Design

Shifting Our Team Goals to be UX Outcomes: A Path to Success in Design

In the world of UX design, setting goals for a team is crucial for success. Traditionally, teams have focused on measuring their goals based on the activities they perform, such as conducting usability tests or delivering wireframes. While these outputs are important, they do not necessarily reflect the true impact of the team's work. This is where shifting to UX outcomes becomes essential.

Experienced UX teams understand the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than outputs. Outputs represent the team's efforts and activities, while outcomes represent the results that are achieved because of that work. By shifting the focus to outcomes, teams can truly understand the value they bring to the organization and the lives of their users.

When considering UX outcomes, it is important to think beyond just improving the business. While increasing subscriptions or generating more income is valuable, it is equally important to consider how the team's work improves the lives of their users. This user-centric approach ensures that the team is delivering a great user experience that truly enhances the lives of their users.

For example, a UX team working on a job board platform may choose UX outcomes for their two main user groups: the hiring manager and the job seeker. Their outcome for the hiring manager could be to make it easier for them to identify and screen highly-qualified candidates. On the other hand, their outcome for the job seeker could be to provide a platform that clearly identifies what makes them a great match for a position. By connecting the improvement in users' lives to the reason the product exists, the team can align their roadmap and prioritize features accordingly.

To achieve the best UX outcomes, teams need to invest in research. Teams that are detached from the day-to-day experiences of their users struggle to imagine meaningful life improvements. However, when teams prioritize research and spend time understanding their users' frustrations, they can identify numerous opportunities for improvement. Deeply understanding users' current experiences is essential for generating the best UX outcomes.

In addition to research, teams should also create an aspirational story around their UX outcomes. People are often motivated by inspiring stories, and a great story can rally the team around a common goal. Teams can use their UX outcomes as the seeds of the story they tell, describing the future experience they aim to deliver for their users.

Furthermore, UX outcomes should be measurable. Just like any other goal, it is important to have a clear understanding of what success looks like. Teams should define the evidence they will observe when the outcome has been realized. This clarity ensures that the team can track their progress and make data-driven decisions.

In the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, the Lightning Network has gained significant attention. With the rise of Bitcoin's price, on-chain transaction fees have also increased. However, the Lightning Network offers a solution by enabling instant deposits and withdrawals with reduced fees. This alternative method of transferring Bitcoin provides users with a more efficient and cost-effective option.

OKCoin, a prominent exchange, recognized the potential of the Lightning Network and decided to implement it. They faced challenges during the rollout, as they were unsure how many existing users would be able to utilize this feature. However, with the help of the broader community and feedback from other implementations, they were able to overcome these obstacles.

To further support the development of the Lightning Network, OKCoin initiated an open-source developer grant program. They sponsored Antoine Riard, a Lightning developer, to improve the network's security and adoption. OKCoin recognizes the potential of Lightning in making a real difference in people's lives, especially in emerging markets where there is a large percentage of unbanked individuals.

Anton, the legendary Lightning builder behind BLW, has created one of the most user-friendly wallets to date. However, he acknowledges that there are improvements to be made. One issue with non-routing private channels is that only the wallet owner can move funds in and out, leading to bad user experiences and unnecessary channel closures. Anton is working on a solution called Immortan, which aims to power the first routing mobile wallet. By adopting trampoline routing, Immortan will enhance wallet privacy, increase payment delivery rates, and allow wallet owners to earn routing fees.

The prospect of Bitcoin Lightning wallets enabling instant credit via micropayments without the need for personal information is an exciting development. Bitcoin offers the potential for sophisticated KYC and AML procedures that maintain anonymity while ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Legacy bank systems are often complex and vulnerable, leaving room for innovation. Companies like River Financial are leading the way in building state-of-the-art Bitcoin-only exchanges.

In conclusion, shifting our team goals to be UX outcomes is a transformative approach in design. By focusing on outcomes rather than outputs, teams can truly understand the impact of their work on the lives of their users. Investing in research, creating aspirational stories, and defining measurable outcomes are essential steps in achieving success. Similarly, in the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, embracing technologies like the Lightning Network can revolutionize the way we transact and provide financial services to individuals worldwide. By recognizing the potential for innovation and supporting developers, we can create a future where technology enhances the lives of people in meaningful ways.