Weeknotes, Friday 8 August
Lots of user research sessions to observe this week, which always helps challenge assumptions and figure things out.
User research with carers
Observed quite a few sessions with carers this week, comparing a page of content to a question and answer tool. Still some to go but overall the basic page of content seems to be winning, although we’ve also learnt a lot of other interesting information about what people need from us when looking for support. Details, timelines. Mulling over what the line is between empathetic and patronising when it comes to tone.
Playing it by ear
Ran my own user research interview today, a bit off the cuff as our proper researcher was unavailable. Learned about what adult social care recruiters are looking for — jobs boards, support for international workers.
Chicken and egg IA mapping
Started trying to convert my neat looking spreadsheet into actual web pages for a redesigned website aimed at social care businesses. found I’m tweaking titles quite a bit when I see what’s actually going to be on the page, reconsidering. Groupings that made sense on paper seem less sensible in context.
To workshop or not to workshop
We hesitated about whether or not to run a question protocol workshop next week, as a possible change freeze might mean a full year passes before we can actually change the form it relates to. In the end we’ve decided to plough ahead, to at least gauge how much change we might be considering, to help others make decisions about the freeze.
Make your fortune with AI-free products
Funny one this morning, as applications we use everyday were suddenly blocked as they’ve been sprinkled with AI, with features we will never use. Managed to get unblocked by the end of the day, but wonder if people will started making AI-free products that public sector organisations can use without violating their new AI policies.
Distractions
Listening
Plenty of Gojira, Mastodon and metal in general ahead of nipping to Bloodstock Festival in Derbyshire for a day this weekend.
Watching
We got into the New Zealand version of The Traitors and binged all of series 1.
