Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Dispatches from the field report an ever growing need and desire for Agile software development teams and UX professionals to work together to produce software that delights rather than frustrates. Scott Amber, in an excellent article on this topic wrote: “User experience and agile practitioners need to learn about and respect each other’s philosophies and techniques, and then actively find ways to work together. This requires both communities to make minor changes to the way that they work, but if they choose to make these changes I suspect that their work products will be much better for it.”
Organizations have been crying out for individuals who have the skills and knowledge to bring these two worlds together.
In this presentation, we will explore some of the challenges and triumphs experienced by teams as they attempt to forge a new way of working. Attendees will learn successful strategies for integrating UX into Agile, a combination that could very well be the next big step in a paradigm shift in software development.
About Our Speaker
Mara Evans has been working in the realm of software development for over fifteen years. Like many others in this industry, her role is ever changing and evolving Dash/Connector – but almost always within the context of a high performing team. She has played the part of product manager, project/program manager, Solutions Architect, business analyst, designer, UX champion, High Tech Anthropologist™ [Menlo Innovations], QA, and Agile Coach. But she also has another realm of experience and background that brings an interesting if not unique perspective to the art of building teams and building software.
Mara’s academic background is in Anthropology and Transpersonal Psychology with specialization in spiritual psychology as well as organizational development. Integration of these two worlds has become her foundation – as well as her core work. For Mara, it is really about the people, their relationships, and creating a phenomenal team dynamic. The product, or the software, becomes incidental – yet reflective of the quality of human collaboration from which it sprung.
Mara is currently working with the Institute for Social Research, helping to define and deliver their cutting edge survey management system. She is also part-time faculty at Washtenaw Community College, a transformational consultant for organizations, and a spiritual coach for individuals and groups through her consulting business, Arammai Services.
Location
ProQuest
789 E. Eisenhower Parkway
Ann Arbor, MI (map)
Cost
$5, Current students
$10, Michigan Usability Professionals’ Association members
$20, All others
Register online at Guestlist so we know who’s coming and how much refreshments to go around. We’ll also take payment (cash or check) at the door. Questions? Email events {at} miupa dot org.
Schedule
6:00pm, Networking, food, announcements
7:00pm, Program begins
Michigan UXPA 