I use Indi Young’s Mental Models method as the base to create a research-driven user experience map documenting the user journey as well as driving the product roadmap.
The Process
Interviewing: after dozens of hour-long user interviews, I grouped user intentions, goals and behaviors into “towers” of notes. Each tower is labeled with a colored post-it note. With this board placed where everyone in the office can see, the product managers and all other business stakeholders now have a holistic view of the motivations and reactions of our key user segments.
Product Features: next step is to work with product owners to assign product features that we wish to have under each tower to address user intentions, goals or behaviors.
Product Vision Revisit: while we were building out the product roadmap, as part of the Agile methodology, we revisited the Product Vision. This year we invited internal passionate users to share their idea of the ultimate product experience. We used a group-discussion format to get everyone talking and we shared the learnings from the workshop in writing with everyone in the company. Product Vision was then updated to continue driving the priorities.
Finalizing the Format: after discussing with product owners, we tweaked the format to better present the User Stories, Story Priorities, Business Functions, and User Archetypes in the Roadmap.
Deliverables: the complete Product Roadmap is shared on line with product owners and posted on the wall. Screenshots from the current web site and apps are also posted right below the roadmap.
Repeatable Process: the user research is an on-going process and the board will keep evolving. The Product Vision and the Roadmap are to be revisited by product owners every 6-12 months.
