Unifying UI and UX: The Key to Efficient Product Development
In the world of product development, two crucial elements often work in tandem: User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX). While they may seem like separate entities, combining them under one umbrella can lead to remarkable benefits. Juan Carlos Pontaza, Senior Director of Engineering UI/UX at Cisco, shares his insights on the importance of unifying UI and UX, and how it has transformed his team’s approach to product development.
The Benefits of a Holistic Approach
Pontaza’s team is responsible for the full UI development cycle, from UX design to UI automation testing. By having a single team handle both UI and UX, they’ve seen significant improvements in development productivity and employee retention. With consistent development practices and technologies, engineers can easily move between products, reducing the learning curve and increasing career growth opportunities.
The General Contractor Analogy
Pontaza likens his role to that of a general contractor, overseeing the entire product development process. By combining UI and UX under one umbrella, his team can efficiently coordinate tasks and decisions, much like a general contractor manages various tradespeople to build a house. This streamlined approach enables them to deliver high-quality products quickly and efficiently.
Improving Usability Across the Board
Cisco’s focus on software has led to a greater emphasis on usability. Pontaza’s team is working to standardize the look and feel of Cisco’s applications, making them easier to use and more intuitive. This initiative has been a game-changer for the company, with customers appreciating the improved user experience.
Delivering Against Hard Deadlines
When starting a new project, Pontaza’s team leverages their internal expertise and conducts user research to validate their understanding of customer needs. With tight deadlines, they must balance delivering on time with incorporating user feedback. Pontaza’s role involves negotiating with various stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome.
The Power of Diversity
Pontaza’s team is intentionally diverse, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets. This diversity brings unique perspectives and skills, enabling the team to create products that cater to a wide range of customers. By fostering a supportive culture, Pontaza has been able to retain his team members, even in a competitive industry.
Advice for Those Starting Out
Pontaza’s advice to those entering the UI/UX field is to identify what makes them different. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, individuals can thrive in their careers. In a world where technical skills are abundant, it’s the ability to drive projects and move people toward a common goal that sets one apart.
By unifying UI and UX, Pontaza’s team has achieved remarkable success, and his insights offer valuable lessons for anyone involved in product development.