BA and UX
At Catalyst, we craft seamless, end-to-end user experiences. We want to partner and co-design with you from the beginning of a project right through to the end. We understand the importance of a user-centred approach, and believe in taking you on the journey with us.
BA (business analysis) services
Typically, business analysts get involved in the initial phase of the project. Before any development can start, the BA works closely with client stakeholders in order to identify and document business requirements. At Catalyst, this activity usually results in the creation of user stories. In an agile environment, business analysis is a continuous function, where the BA analyses the currently prioritised business requirements for the next sprint and documents them in such a way that they can be developed and tested later on.
Some of the things we do:
- analysing business needs and identifying problems
- analysis and consultation on processes
- designing solutions for business problems
- solution assessment and validation
- facilitating and leading workshops
- elicitation, gathering and documentation of requirements
- diagrams, matrices and gap analysis
- stakeholder interaction and coordination.
UX (user experience) design services
Interaction design is the process of taking the requirements and converting them from "what needs to be done" to "how it will be done". The aim of this portion of the design work is to translate the business needs into a usable interface for the application/website audience. The process is iterative and is part of the broader graphic design process.
Conceptual model
From the requirements and functional spec, we decide on the conceptual model for the activity. (So an ecommerce component = a mental model of a shop). From there we design the interaction.
Activity flow diagrams/user stories
This process flow diagram documents all the steps from the start of the interaction to the activity's successful completion. The entire activity is described, from user inputs to the system's responses.
Wireframe/screenflow prototypes
We use wireframes to illustrate layouts and spatial relationships between page elements. For complex interactions, we develop screenflows (a series of wireframes) based on an activity flow/user story.
Usability testing
We prefer to do this one on one, using a few test subjects. Keeping a low overhead means that we can test more often. We know sitting down with a subject to ask the right questions always works best.
Contextual usability testing
This testing is done to see the application being used in the users' own environment, via an over the shoulder interview. With a few test subjects, we can conduct many short tests a number of times.
Accessibility: what is it?
According to W3C, web accessibility enables people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web, as well as contribute to it.
Web accessibility includes all types of web-impacting disabilities including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive and neurological.
Web accessibility is not just for people with disabilities. Its principles benefit all sorts of users including older people, people with short-term disabilities and those learning a second language.