Agile vs. Lean UX - What's the difference and which design process should you use?
As a designer, you've probably heard of the terms "Agile" and "Lean" UX. But what exactly are they, and which one should you use?
In this post, we'll compare Agile and Lean UX and discuss their differences to help you decide which one to use for your next design project.
What is Agile UX?
Agile UX is a design process that embraces flexibility and collaboration. It's a subset of Agile Development, which is a software development methodology that advocates for iterative and incremental development.
In Agile UX, the design team works in sprints, which are short periods of time (usually two weeks) where they focus on completing specific tasks. The team regularly reviews the progress made during these sprints and adjusts their plan accordingly.
Agile UX is best suited for projects where the stakeholders demand quick delivery and iterative development.
What is Lean UX?
Lean UX is another design process, but with a different approach. It's based on the Lean Startup methodology and emphasizes on creating a minimum viable product (MVP) to test out a hypothesis.
In Lean UX, the team works collaboratively to identify the users' needs and then create a solution that meets those needs. The solution is then tested with real users to see how they interact with it.
Lean UX is best suited for projects where the stakeholders are unclear about the product's requirements and want to validate their assumptions before investing in its development.
Agile vs. Lean UX - What's the difference?
The main difference between Agile and Lean UX is their approach to design.
Agile UX focuses on delivering features in small increments and continuously testing and adjusting the design accordingly. Lean UX, on the other hand, emphasizes on building an MVP to test a hypothesis before investing in the final product.
Another key difference is their prioritization. Agile UX prioritizes the features based on their business value and the user's needs. Lean UX, however, prioritizes the features that can help validate the product's assumptions.
Which design process should you use?
The choice between Agile and Lean UX depends on your project requirements.
If your stakeholders demand quick delivery and iterative development, you should go for Agile UX.
If you're unsure about the product's requirements and want to validate your assumptions before investing in its development, you should opt for Lean UX.
Ultimately, the best approach is to combine elements of both Agile and Lean UX to create a hybrid design process that suits your project's specific needs.
Conclusion
Agile and Lean UX are two different design processes with their own unique approach to design. Agile UX is best suited for projects where stakeholders want quick delivery and iterative development, while Lean UX is best suited for projects where the product's requirements are unclear.
As a designer, it's essential to understand the differences between Agile and Lean UX to choose the one best suited for your project. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help ensure the success of your next design project.