I joined the Triad User Research and UX Design team with a consulting background that has enabled me to work across a variety of disciplines in the government and public sector, including Business Analysis, User Research, UX Design, and Service Design.
Putting the user in User-Centred Design
I have a keen interest in user-centred design (UCD). It is about creating thoughtful, inclusive, and effective solutions. I enjoy collaborating with teams, digging into user needs, and designing experiences that make users’ lives easier. I can spend my days on a variety of tasks, from wireframing in Figma to mapping user journeys and running workshops with stakeholders.
I am currently working as a UX designer with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Our task is to overhaul a predominantly manual system and create a new digital process.
My role has included speaking with users both inside and outside the FCDO, understanding their current processes, and uncovering a variety of pain points. From the insights gathered, we have defined key requirements for the system and continue to design a platform that addresses both internal and external user needs through research, iteration and working with our Developers to understand technical opportunities and limitations.
The two sides of problem solving
Perhaps the favourite part of my job is the problem-solving element. I love the two sides: problem framing and solution exploration. I enjoy speaking to people in roles and jobs I may have never encountered otherwise, and uncovering what they do, the issues (big and small) they face day-to-day, as well as hearing their thoughts on how to improve things. Being able to take those insights and start exploring the problem space myself, and bringing real solutions back to those individuals, makes for some fun full-circle moments!
The toughest part of my role is that you don’t always get to see the solution in action. This is true of discovery projects, where I may delve deeply into all the opportunities for improvement and framing the problem, but I have been whisked away to a new challenge by the time that Alpha (the first phase of testing) starts. However, the variety is also part of what I love, so I shouldn’t complain!
Every day is a school day!
I am a big believer in learning by doing. When I find a new skill that I want to learn or an area that interests me, I follow up my theoretical learning by looking for opportunities to apply what I have learnt directly to the project I am working on or experiment using real-life examples.
Equally important to me is learning from others. Working closely with cross-functional teams and staying curious about how others solve problems helps me grow. Everyone has areas of expertise and those they are less familiar with; leaning on other people’s expertise helps me develop in areas where I may have less experience myself.
We use our UX community as an opportunity to share our knowledge and tackle problems together. If I ever have a Figma question, a project dilemma, or need a new resource, the UX community of practice is the first place I go for support.
Say yes when you can!
Saying yes when I can has served me well. That is how I experienced life as a BA. There is so much to learn from getting out of your comfort zone and trying new skills, even if they may not appear relevant to UX at first. There’s always something you’ll be able to take away from new experiences.
If you have a question for Maddison Ludlam or the Triad team, please get in touch.
