Towards a multi-dimensional framework to put UX into action in software startups

• Grant number: 20/00615-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2020
• End date: January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Aparecida Martinez Zaina
• Grantee: Luciana Aparecida Martinez Zaina
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências em Gestão e Tecnologia (CCGT). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cleidson Ronald Botelho de Souza ; Helen Claire Sharp ; Leonor Maria Melo Torcato Barroca ; Leticia dos Santos Machado
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/10429-8 - Investigating UX work in softtware startups, BP.TT

Abstract

Software startups are companies that develop innovative software products in environments of time-pressure and lack of resources. Often, software teams present difficulties in setting software practices in the fast-paced environment of startups. Recently, user experience (UX) has become a relevant aspect of software development. However, software teams in startups have struggled on how using UX information available or even what UX information they are relevant to support the software development. The complexity of using UX increases when it is considered that work in startups carries on in two different life cycle stages which run in parallel, i.e. learning process and development process. The learning process follows the lean startups' principle and aims to minimize project risk and get teams building and learning quickly. On the other hand, the development process focuses on the steps to build the software. These different stages can impact not only what UX work should be done, but also which UX practices are adopted for each stage. Moreover, startups change their processes frequently, and so they need an approach that allows them to consider different dimensions (i.e. practices, process, technology, principles, people) when they are choosing the suitable UX information and practices to use. This project aims to develop a multi-dimensional framework that aids the startups in optimizing the integration of UX activities in the daily work of their software teams. Additionally, this project concerns on delivering the framework in a form that could be better for the software practitioners understanding and put the UX in practice in their daily work. To achieve the project aim, we will carry out empirical studies in software startups to collect qualitative data. Grounded theory will guide our research process by suggesting the data collection and analysis steps so that we can identify concepts in our data that are relevant to startups, and uncover their relationships in an iterative process. We will evaluate the framework in two steps. First, we will interact with the startups to validate the dimensions of the framework and potential formats for communicating their contents. After, we will observe the use of the framework in the startups for 2 months. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SILVEIRA, SOFIA A. M.; CHOMA, JOELMA; PEREIRA, ROBERTO; GUERRA, EDUARDO M.; ZAINA, LUCIANA A. M.; GREGORY, P; LASSENIUS, C; WANG, X; KRUCHTEN, P. UX Work in Software Start-Ups: Challenges from the Current State of Practice. AGILE PROCESSES IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND EXTREME PROGRAMMING (XP 2021), v. 419, p. 17-pg., 2021-01-01. (20/10429-8, 20/00615-9)

SAAD, JULLIA; MARTINELLI, SUELLEN; MACHADO, LETICIA S.; DE SOUZA, CLEIDSON R. B.; ALVARO, ALEXANDRE; ZAINA, LUCIANA. UX work in software startups: A thematic analysis of the literature. INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, v. 140, DEC 2021. (20/00615-9, 20/11441-1)

CHOMA, JOELMA; GUERRA, EDUARDO M.; ALVARO, ALEXANDRE; PEREIRA, ROBERTO; ZAINA, LUCIANA. Influences of UX factors in the Agile UX context of software startups. INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, v. 152, p. 14-pg., 2022-12-01. (20/10429-8, 20/00615-9)

TEIXEIRA, GABRIEL, V; ZAINA, LUCIANA A. M.; FILIPE, J; SMIALEK, M; BRODSKY, A; HAMMOUDI, S. Using Lean Personas to the Description of UX-related Requirements: A Study with Software Startup Professionals. ICEIS: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 24TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS - VOL 2, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2022-01-01. (20/00615-9)

PEREIRA, ANATHAN TELLES; CLETO FILHO, ABNER; GUERRA, EDUARDO; ZAINA, LUCIANA A. M.; ACM. Towards a Pattern Language to Embed UX Information in Agile Software Requirements. PROCEEDINGS OF THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON PATTERN LANGUAGES OF PROGRAMS 2021, EUROPLOP 2021, v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2021-01-01. (20/00615-9)