4 reasons to work with end-users

Why Frontend Developers Should Collaborate with End-Users

28/3/2023

Introduction

As a frontend developer, you play a crucial role in building the layer users interact with. However, creating an effective and user-friendly frontend can be challenging without a clear understanding of the needs and preferences of the people who will be using it. In this post, we'll explore the 4 reasons why it's crucial for frontend developers to collaborate with end-users directly.

1. Only build what’s necessary

Understanding user needs and preferences allows developers to make more informed decisions while developing. For instance, developers can avoid over-engineering the solution by adding unnecessary complexity because they think the user might need something. Instead, they can focus on delivering what the users actually want and need. Additionally, developers can add better error handling as they will understand users' edge-case interactions. They can also create more efficient tests by designing realistic test scenarios that catch more bugs and edge cases. These practices can lead to a higher quality frontend with fewer issues when it is released to users.

2. Better team collaboration

Effective collaboration among team members such as UX designers, product owners, and developers is crucial for creating successful products. However, developers can sometimes be isolated from interaction with users, which can make it challenging for them to fully understand the needs and preferences of the end-users. This can limit their ability to contribute fully to the collaboration with other team members.

Personally, I've experienced this challenge myself during creative brainstorming sessions. While I can easily determine whether certain suggestions are technically feasible or not, it can be difficult for me to think creatively and come up with my own ideas. This means that I'm not able to fully contribute to the creative process, and the collaboration may lack the technical expertise required to drive innovation.

Furthermore, direct interaction with end-users can provide valuable insights to developers that may not be apparent to other team members. By speaking directly with end-users, developers can pick up on details that may be overlooked by UX designers or product owners, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the end-users' needs and preferences.

3. Skip the middleman

Developers who have a good understanding of their end-users' needs and preferences can make better decisions during the development process. This understanding leads to increased efficiency as it reduces the need to constantly consult with the product owner or UX team for minor inquiries, which can otherwise create communication bottlenecks and slow down the development process. When developers have access to this knowledge, they can make informed decisions about the features they build and how they build them without constantly needing to involve other team members.

As a developer, I know the frustration of having to constantly consult with the product owner for small decisions. In the past, I've had to develop systems for users whose needs I hardly understood, which made it challenging for me to make decisions on my own. This resulted in a lot of back-and-forth communication with the product owner, which often created bottlenecks and slowed down the development process. However, by directly interacting with end-users and gaining a better understanding of their needs and preferences, I've been able to make more informed decisions independently and ultimately deliver better.

4. Motivation

As a developer, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work and lose sight of the bigger picture. We spend hours behind our desks coding and testing without ever really seeing the impact our work has on users. That's why having direct communication with users is so important. It gives a greater sense of ownership and responsibility for the product, which in turn motivates to deliver better results.

For me, the most important aspect of my work is knowing that it has a positive impact on people. I find a sense of pride and value in knowing that what I do is making a difference in someone's life. While I appreciate the positive feedback I receive from product owners or higher-ups in the company, nothing beats hearing it from an actual user. When a user expresses their appreciation or satisfaction with a new feature or solution I've implemented, it is incredibly fulfilling and motivating.

In fact, I find it beneficial to hear criticism from users as well. While it can be tough to hear, it's also an opportunity for me to learn and improve my work. I take it as a personal challenge to address any issues or complaints a user may have and make sure their experience is the best it can be.

How to involve end-users in the development process

For effective collaboration between users and developers, it's essential to begin the collaboration process at the start of development and maintain it throughout the product's life cycle. However, it’s never too late to get started. To facilitate effective communication and collaboration, developers should establish clear expectations and channels of communication with users. Regular check-ins with users should be scheduled to gather feedback and address any issues that arise. The frequency of the check-ins may vary throughout the project's lifetime, and could occur once per sprint, once per release, or every second week. Developers should be transparent about their development process and involve users in decision-making. User feedback should be prioritised, and developers should make changes based on their needs and preferences.

In my experience, I find that focus groups consisting of a small, diverse set of users are particularly effective. These groups provide an opportunity to directly gather feedback from end-users regarding their preferences and areas for improvement. By scheduling regular meetings with focus group members, developers can share their progress and receive valuable feedback. Additionally, establishing a direct communication channel with the focus group can facilitate fast and efficient communication

UX designers or product owners may already be engaging with end users. In such cases, it's important to ensure that developers are included in such engagement to maintain effective collaboration between all parties involved in the product's development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's clear that direct collaboration with end users is essential for frontend developers. By understanding user needs and preferences, developers can create better code, improve team collaboration, feel more motivated, and ultimately deliver a product that better meets the needs of the end user. Moreover, this direct interaction with end users can help reduce friction and bottlenecks in the development process, leading to a more efficient and streamlined product development cycle. So, as a frontend developer, make sure you take the time to engage with your end users to create a better product that truly meets their needs.