Category: Blog

As technology continues to advance, the intersection of engineering and product design is becoming increasingly apparent. The rise of AI is blurring the lines between these two professions, and as a result, they could benefit from a more holistic approach that combines their unique skill sets.

In the past, engineering and product design have been viewed as separate entities, each with its own area of expertise. However, as AI continues to automate many of the mundane aspects of these professions, it’s becoming more apparent that there is significant overlap between the two fields.

While some argue that engineers are better positioned to become more well-rounded as they already have a good understanding of systems and useful interactions, it’s important to note that design is about more than just operating design software like Figma. It involves a deep understanding of human perception, cognition, and psychology, which can be difficult to teach to someone without a background in design.

Product designers will be better positioned to conduct the user requirement gathering and business collaboration happens during product discovery to understand and research the problem space. Once you get to the solution to design that’s the easy bit. Product designers will have built out soft skills throughout building their experience in product discovery facilitation.

As our tools are advancing rapidly, the path to creating a successful career in Product design is changing. New entrants will no longer be able to follow a cookie-cutter playbook. To stay relevant, designers need to become more code-savvy and technically proficient, and adopt a technical mindset. They also need to become early adopters of new computing paradigms and tools.

As designers embrace change and learn new skills, engineers could be provided with the tools to better understand human psychology and sociological insights, making them more versatile and effective problem solvers. With this convergence of design and engineering, we can create more effective and user-friendly software that meets the needs of a diverse range of users.

It’s important to acknowledge that there are still some fundamental differences between the two professions that should be addressed. However, with the right tools and training, engineers and designers can work together more effectively than ever before, leading to more innovative and impactful software solutions.

The future of design and engineering is changing, and the opportunities are there for those who are willing to adapt and grow. As AI continues to alter the design landscape and create all types of new opportunities for designers, it’s becoming clear that the only way to get hurt is to stay stagnant. Product teams as a whole will be able to ship much more quickly as tech continues to advance, but it’s not going to be easy to strike a balance between following a thoughtful design process and keeping up with production.

As someone who has experience in both engineering and design, I am excited to see how these fields continue to converge and evolve in the coming years. As we continue to build tools that incorporate human psychology and sociological insights, and cross-train in coding and product discovery, we can create more effective and user-friendly products. The path to creating a successful career in product design is changing, and the opportunities are there for those who are willing to embrace change, learn new skills, and be ready for the future.

Just finished reading the Valuable 500 white paper ‘ESG and Disability Data’. It really highlighted the importance of ensuring our websites, online tools, and technologies are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. It’s crucial to design and develop digital offerings with accessibility in mind from the start, rather than as an afterthought.
What’s more, digital accessibility isn’t just a moral obligation – it benefits everyone.

I look forward to the continued challenge of the remediation of digital accessibility at Flybuys to the benefit of all of our members.

Get More From Your Everyday with Flybuys

I was pleased to release our uplifted Flybuys Dollars redemption form for customers to easily redeem Flybuys dollars on their phone or desktop. Flybuys dollars is one of the largest call reasons to our service centre.

As a UX strategist with a tech background, I have learnt over the years that effective communication and collaboration between UX / product design teams, developers and architects is crucial for delivering successful products.

One key insight is to understand the different types of feedback that may be provided by the development team.

Firstly, there may be technical constraints in the design that can’t be easily addressed within the scope of the initiative. In these cases, it is important to ask if the design needs to be updated or if there are other feasible technical options.

Secondly, there may be instances where a new tech solution is required to enable the product design. This may involve new APIs, databases, or enhancements to existing systems. It is important to explore different technical options to see what is feasible and what will work best for the product.

Finally, there may be instances where the effort required to implement a feature outweighs the value it provides to the customer. In these cases, it is important to reassess the effort vs value of the feature and make an informed decision on whether to proceed with its implementation, or redesign it to match effort with it’s customer value.

Overall, effective communication and collaboration between UX teams, developers and architects is crucial for delivering successful products. By understanding the different types of feedback that may be provided and asking the right questions, we can ensure that the product design is technically feasible, usable, and provides value to the customer.

Are you a product designer that feels locked out of product decision making?

By improving collaboration with product managers, you will become your PM’s favourite product designer and be a stronger part of decision making. Here are five ways to make that happen:

Get involved early on: Design and strategy are not separate, they are symbiotic – A great design is the result of a great strategy. The earlier you get involved in the product development process, the more influence you’ll have on the final product. Collaborate with the product manager on product strategy, product discovery and definition to ensure that the final product aligns with the user needs and business goals. By getting involved early, you can make sure your designs are considered from the start and that the final product meets your vision for the product.

Understand the product manager’s perspective: Take the time to understand the product manager’s goals and objectives for the product. This will help you design solutions that align with their vision. By understanding their perspective and the market they are trying to target, you can create designs that are more likely to be successful.

Communicate effectively: Regularly check in with the product manager and keep them informed about your design decisions and progress. This will help them understand your design rationale and provide feedback more effectively. Clear and effective communication will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your designs align with the product manager’s vision.

Be flexible: Be willing to adapt your design to meet the needs of the product manager and the business. This will show that you are a team player and that you are willing to find solutions that work for everyone. Flexibility is important for any designer, and it’s especially important when working with product managers.

Seek feedback: Ask for feedback and be open to constructive criticism. This will help you improve your design skills and will demonstrate to the product manager that you value their input. By seeking feedback and taking it into consideration, you can make sure that your designs are meeting the needs of the product manager and the business.

Collaboration is the key ingredient for creating a recipe for success in product design. By understanding the product manager’s perspective, communicating effectively, getting involved early on, being flexible and seeking feedback, product designers can improve collaboration with product managers and create products that are usable, functional, solve real-world problems for customers and achieve the desired business outcomes.

In the past two years as UX & Product Design Manager, I’ve had the opportunity to take on new challenges and make a real impact on the company.

I have really enjoyed leading major discovery initiatives as a strategic product designer. I am proud of the work I was involved in for digital fuel dockets, a new partnership with Officeworks and Bunnings, addressing many member pain points and there are many more exciting changes in train. These efforts not only helped to drive business growth, but also improved the overall customer experience.

Another one of my major achievements was serving as Senior Digital Manager for 6 months, where I supported web, app, and architectural decisions. This role allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the digital landscape at Flybuys and make informed decisions that aligned with the company’s goals.

I’m also proud of the work I’ve done to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the product design team. I created and led the Design Ops roadmap, which has streamlined processes and allowed the team to work more efficiently. Additionally, I led the development and implementation of the Flybuys digital accessibility policy, which has helped to make our digital products more inclusive for all users.

I’m grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve received at Flybuys over the past two years. Thanks to all my colleagues for making it a great place to work!

Proud to lead the UX discovery for Digital Fuel Dockets trial and national rollout.

Remember to Shop, Activate, Scan!

Flybuys has launched Digital Fuel Dockets nationwide after a successful trial in Western Australia – re-defining the member in-app experience! Trust us…. it’s not just a docket, members who spend $30 at Coles qualify for a Shell Coles Express Digital Fuel Dockets that will be made available through the Flybuys app, allowing them to collect 8 Flybuys points per litre or save 4 cents off their fuel per litre. The cherry on the sundae- you choose how they prefer to redeem their value, with either points or cash savings to be redeemed via the Flybuys app. For more information on Flybuys, head to https://lnkd.in/gtnzCmhk

Reading Team Topologies to get a better understanding on how technology teams should be organised for fast flow. The *light bulb* moment for me…
How much awareness does the HR department have about software systems? Does the group of department leaders deciding how to allocate budget across teams know of the likely effects of their choices on the viability of the software architecture?
Conway’s law shows that the way teams are structured has a direct impact on how systems will be developed.
Design your teams aligned to how you want your architecture to work. Tech leaders should determine team structure, not HR.

Listening to Sense & Respond this week to develop a greater understanding into the core principles behind best practice product development.

Was terrific to be a part of the Leading the Product conference. Being in UX and digital delivery for a decade Larry Diamond‘s talk resonated with my experience plus gave so many ideas like the “Wall of Pain”, to gather and look at the top 10 customer issues each month as a focus for priorities and aligning product squads to the customer journey.