Guerilla usability in government

Any means, any how

1. What is Guerrilla Usability?

• Fighting for the users• Getting it done• Aim for stability

1. Why does Government need it?

• Get consensus

• Our audience

1. What are the challenges?

• Education

• Time-poor

• TRAP - Total Risk Assessment Paralysis

• Re-inventing the wheel

Overcoming Barriers

Criticism

Rejection Assholes

 Pressure

As Richard St. John's TED talk

reminds us...

Using...Tools

• People

• Processes

• Sneakiness

People

• Get people on sideo Hire friends if you have to

• Maintain interesto Reduce documentation

Reduce Documentation

Gapminder example serving as project documentation.

Processes

• Leverage existing processes

• Get in early!

• Aim for outcomes that produce stability

Stability - Wireframes to...

...a polished product

Sneakiness

• Do it anyway!

• Call it something else

• When processes are not followed, jump on it.

Some Useful Tactics

• Go external

• Conversations

• Get help

• Showcase

Showcasing...

Yes we can!

Usability in large organisations is difficult but possible.

• Prepare for challenges

• Support the people, work and outcomes

• Tools and tactics, find the free

• Promote tactics to others

GUX Code

• Getting it done - create the process

• Do the hard yards

• Be sneaky, be invisible if necessary

• Maintain the fun

• It helps to have friends!