Project Management and the Laws of UX

Project management is the art and science of planning, executing, and controlling projects from conception to completion. In the context of web design and development, it involves coordinating teams of designers, developers, and stakeholders to deliver web projects that meet their objectives. The success of a web project is typically measured in terms of how well it meets the needs of its intended audience. This is where user experience (UX) comes in. User experience refers to how users interact with a website, app, or product. It is a critical component of web design and development because it directly affects how well a website meets its objectives.

To ensure that user experience is prioritized during web design and development, project managers can turn to the Laws of UX created by Jon Yablonski. The Laws of UX is a set of principles that are intended to help designers and developers create websites and products that are easy to use and understand. In this article, we will explore what specific actions project managers can take to encourage their teams to adhere to these guidelines. These laws describe the ways in which users interact with websites and products and provide guidance on how to create designs that are intuitive, efficient, and effective.

Jakob’s Law, a key principle of UX design, states that users prefer websites and applications that work in a familiar way. To apply this law, project managers can encourage designers to create interfaces that users are already familiar with. Here are some examples of how project managers can foster an environment that encourages the application of this principle:

1. Using standard navigation: Users expect to see navigation menus in certain areas of a website, such as at the top or left-hand side of the screen. By using standard navigation we can help users find what they are looking for quickly and easily.
2. Using familiar icons: Icons are a great way to effectively convey information, but it’s important to use icons that users will recognize. For example, using a magnifying glass icon for search or a shopping cart icon for a shopping cart.
3. Using common design patterns: Common design patterns are design solutions that have been proven to be effective over time. By using common design patterns, we can create interfaces that users are already familiar with and that work in a predictable way.
4. Using familiar terminology: It’s important to use terminology that users are familiar with. For example, using “Add to Cart” instead of “Add to Basket” or “Add to Bag” on an e-commerce website.

By applying Jakob’s Law, project managers can help to ensure that users are comfortable and familiar with the website or application they are using. This can lead to a better user experience, increased user satisfaction, and ultimately, a more successful project.

The Law of Proximity states that objects that are close to each other are perceived as related. To apply this law, project managers can encourage designers to organize content in a logical and intuitive manner. This involves grouping related items together and placing them in close proximity to one another. Project managers can ask designers to use visual cues, such as color or font, to highlight related items, helping users to understand how different pieces of information relate to each other. Below are additional instances of how project managers can encourage the implementation of this principle:

1. Grouping similar navigation items: Navigation menus are a key element of a website’s design, and grouping similar items together using the Law of Proximity can make it easier for users to navigate the site. The grouping of similar pages or sections of the website under the same dropdown menu, will make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.
2. Organizing forms and input fields: Forms are a common element of many websites, and using the Law of Proximity can help make them more user-friendly. By grouping related input fields together and placing them in close proximity, users can easily see which fields are related to each other and what information is required. This could include grouping all personal information fields together and all payment information fields together, making it easier for users to understand which fields are related to each other.
3. Highlighting related products or services: The Law of Proximity can also be used to highlight related products or services on an e-commerce website. By placing similar products or services in close proximity to each other, users can easily see what other options are available to them. For example, displaying related products or services on the same page, making it easier for users to compare options and find what they are looking for.
4. Grouping related content: This also applies to text-based content on a website. By grouping related content together and placing it in close proximity, users can easily see what information is related to each other. As an example, grouping all product specifications together, will make it easier for users to understand the features and benefits of the product.

By applying the Law of Proximity during web projects, project managers can help create more logical and intuitive designs that make it easier for users to understand the content and navigate the site. This, in turn, can lead to better user experiences implemented on their web projects.

The Law of Similarity is also an important principle of UX design. This law states that elements that are similar in appearance are perceived as belonging to the same group. Project managers can encourage the use of consistent visual cues throughout the website. This involves using the same color scheme, font, and style throughout the website to create a cohesive and consistent visual experience. For example, if a website uses blue buttons, all buttons on the website should be blue, making it easier for users to identify buttons and understand their function. Here are some other methods that this principle can be applied on web projects:

1. Consistent navigation: Use a consistent navigation system throughout the website. This involves using the same style, placement, and design for all navigation elements on the site. This consistency makes it easier for users to find their way around the site and understand how different sections relate to each other.
2. Grouping related content: Group related content together using similar visual cues. For example, a website may use different colors to indicate different categories of content, making it easier for users to understand how the information is organized.
3. Using consistent imagery: Use consistent imagery throughout the website. This includes using the same style, color scheme, and level of detail for all images on the site. This consistency helps users to understand the relationship between different elements on the page and makes it easier to navigate the site.
4. Consistent typography: Using consistent typography involves maintaining the same font, font size, and style for all text on the site. This consistency helps users to read and understand the content more easily, improving the overall user experience.

By encouraging designers to use consistent visual cues throughout the website, project managers can create a more cohesive and intuitive user experience. This can lead to increased user satisfaction and a higher level of engagement with the site, resulting in a more successful project overall.

These are just three of the Laws of UX as outlined by Jon Yablonski. It’s worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with the full set of laws and the psychological principles behind each of them. To encourage teams to adhere to these guidelines, project managers can provide training and resources on UX design principles. This may involve conducting workshops, sharing articles and videos, and encouraging designers to attend webinars and conferences. Project managers can also set expectations and establish a culture of collaboration and feedback, where designers are encouraged to share their work and receive feedback from others. In addition, project managers can take several other steps to foster an environment of curiosity that leads to better user experience for their projects.

Conducting user research can help gain insights into the needs and preferences of a target audience. This can involve conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather feedback on the usability and effectiveness of a website. By understanding the needs and pain points of users, project managers can help their teams design websites that meet their needs and provide a positive experience. It’s also important to set clear objectives and goals for all web projects. Outline what UX goals need to to be achieved and why it is important. By setting clear objectives, project managers can help teams focus on delivering solutions that align with the needs of the target audience.

Additionally, it is important to provide ongoing feedback and support to web teams. This will help to improve their skills and develop their understanding of UX design principles. This can involve providing regular feedback on designs, offering coaching and mentoring to team members, and encouraging them to attend training sessions and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest UX design trends. Celebrate success by recognizing and rewarding team members who demonstrate a commitment to UX design principles and who deliver projects that meet or exceed their objectives. By celebrating success, project managers can reinforce the importance of UX design and encourage their teams to continue to prioritize user experience in their work.

By creating a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, project managers can create an environment of curiosity that encourages their teams to learn, grow, and innovate. This, in turn, can lead to better user experiences and more successful projects focused on delivering websites that meet the needs of users and achieve the desired objectives.

The Laws of UX provide web teams with a set of principles to guide their decision-making during web design and development. By applying these laws, project managers can create websites that are intuitive, efficient, and effective. The key is to prioritize user experience and ensure that all decisions are made with the user in mind. This requires a deep understanding of the needs and expectations of the target audience, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and iteration. By combining the discipline of project management with the principles of UX design, project managers can ensure that their web projects meet their objectives and deliver a positive user experience.