Here is a light-hearted way of prompting individuals within a UX team to demonstrate where their interests lie. It is as much about understanding similarities as it is about celebrating differences that might otherwise be difficult to identify during ‘work’.
The purpose of this exercise is never meant to be used to expose holes within a team, but is meant to be used to demonstrate differences in interests and capabilities which individuals may find helpful in knowing who to turn to if they have a problem to solve. It may also highlight to individuals where there could be more scope for additional investment in their own skills, especially if they feel that they are lacking in a particular discipline or skill set.
How to use it.
On a print out, each member of the a UX is invited to go round the wheel (in any direction they choose!) and colour in or mark where they feel their interest lies in each discipline. It is important to also add that this is not a ‘test’ of the individual but a way for them to articulate how much they value their interest in relation to their current and future role.
Once a member of the team has completed the wheel, ask each person to connect up each of their dots with a simple straight line to create their shape. It does not matter what their shape is as there is no right or wrong answer here.
After this has been completed, place each piece of paper up on a board or a wall and encourage each member, in turn, to explain at a high level what their shape is and why.
This is not meant to be an empirical way of finding out about what motivates every member of the team to expose them to further analysis. Nor is this a way to be able to force individuals to undertake additional training to fill a gap in your team. Your ability to hire and direction that you intend to grow the team will take care of that.
What it does do is show how each person in the team is different. It highlights how each person within the team may be motivated by different aspects of their role. Being able to demonstrate what makes one person enthusiastic may encourage people to understand and discuss elements more. It may help to create a little more unity and understanding between members who might not have been able to appreciate where someone is coming from in day-to-day conversations. And this is the point, here it’s the differences not the similarities that count or should be highlighted in a positive way. As I’ve said there is no right or wrong here.
I’ve only ever done this with a small group of people; with up to 6 individuals. How this translates into larger teams remains to be seen. Ultimately if every one in your team is of a similar ‘shape’ then maybe a you’ve inadvertently created a droid army. Good luck in your domination of the galaxy! May the force not be with you.
Frazer Cooper 