TABLE OF CONTENT LET’S GET STARTED What is an Empathy map? Who uses an Empathy map Why use an Empathy map? What is inside the Empathy map template? Why use the Empathy map template? GETTING IT DONE How to craft survey questions for the map? How to get the template? How to duplicate the template? How to add an image to the empathy map on Miro board? How to edit images for the empathy map? How to add survey answers to the templates? How to save the template? CONCLUSION  LET’S GET STARTED! Grab your pen and a note. (a) What is an Empathy map? 🗺️ As a newbie in product management, hearing the word empathy map can sound so new and strange. Well it was for me 😅, so let me explain in simple terms. An empathy map is a powerful tool used to gain a deeper understanding of a specific target audience or individual. The map allows for a comprehensive exploration of the users’ thoughts, feelings, needs, and behaviors, which in turn aids in creating more meaningful and relevant products, services, or experiences. It typically involves four sections; See: focuses on the user’s external environment, including what they see in their surroundings. Say & Do: focuses the user’s actions, behaviors and communication. Think & Feel: explores the user’s thoughts, emotions and beliefs. Hear: captures the user’s source of information, including what they hear from others, media etc. (b) Who uses an Empathy map? 🤔 Empathy maps are used by various professionals and teams across different industries to gain a deeper understanding of their target audience or users. Here are some of the key groups that commonly use empathy maps: Product managers Product designers and UX designers Marketers Customer service teams Sales team Business strategists and many more!  (c) Why use an Empathy map? 🤷 Using an empathy map offers several valuable benefits for individuals or teams working in various fields. Here are some key reasons why empathy mapping is commonly employed: Better understanding of users and customers Identification of pain points and opportunities User-centric product and service design Tailored marketing and messaging Enhanced empathy and perspective-taking.  (d) What is inside the Empathy map template? 👓 The empathy map template consists of six segments; Think and Feel, See, Hear, Say and Do, Gains and Pains in which answers gotten from surveys are placed in, according to the segment they belong. 1.5 Why use the Empathy map template?🙋 The template provides a structured framework with different segments, making it easier to organize and analyze information about the individual or target audience. It ensures that you cover various aspects of their experience systematically. An empathy map is usually presented as a visual diagram, which makes it easier to grasp and communicate insights. It enables teams to have a shared understanding and align their perspectives. It is beginner- friendly and easy to use. GETTING IT DONE! (a) How to craft survey questions for the map? 📝 Crafting empathy map survey questions requires a delicate balance of curiosity and sensitivity. Here are some tips (pay attention to the highlighted sentences) 🧐;  To create questions that truly resonate with the participants, start by immersing yourself in their world. Walk in their shoes, embrace their joys and struggles, and let their experiences guide you. Seek to understand their innermost thoughts and feelings, uncovering the nuances that make them unique. Delve into their daily routines, social interactions, and the sights and sounds that surround them. Embrace the power of open-ended inquiries, inviting them to share their stories freely. Empathy map survey questions should be a heartfelt invitation for participants to open up, allowing their authentic voices to shape a canvas of understanding. So, let empathy be your compass, and through carefully crafted questions, weave a tapestry of insights that inspire meaningful and human-centered solutions. Still having troubles understanding how to craft questions? 😅 I got you! The link below by yours truly, is a list compiled of some examples of questions that can be used for Empathy map survey! Interested? click here (N/B: can be edited based on purpose of usage).  (b) How to get the template? 😵 Now let’s get into the business of creating an easy empathy map! Interested in getting the template? click here and sign in or up into the Miro board using your google email address. (c) How to duplicate the template?📚 Once you have signed in and the board opens, select “Empathy map template” as shown in the image below. Once selected, a pop up screen will appear. Select “duplicate” as shown: Enter the desired name for your board and click “copy” Boom! You have a duplicate of the template. If you are a newbie on the Miro board, you might have to close the ad shown below to be able to view your full board.  Once that is done, you have the duplicate of the template! 🥳 (d) How to add an image to the empathy map on the Miro board?📌 Now we have the template, let’s get started! Select the highlighted symbol.  Once that is done, select “upload” from the list of options as shown below. Select the desired option on how you want to upload the image. Majority of my images are saved in “my device” so I clicked on that. Select the desired image from your device and click “open” (e) How to edit images for the empathy map? 🖼️ Normally, images for an empathy map are oval in shape and inserted at the middle of the template. So to edit the image, click on the image and select the highlighted symbol which is the “mask and crop” option.  Select option “circle” as shown below. This will make the outline of the image to be a circle. Once selected, the image gets an oval outline as shown below. Image can be resized and be placed at the middle of the template by dragging it, as shown below. (f) How […]
Category Archives: Product Development
Agile Mindset, Product Development, Product management, Product Manager
Navigating the world of Product Management with the Agile Mindset
Aug
Introduction Let’s talk about Agile, the one method that has completely changed how product managers work. Like a secret weapon, it helps us successfully navigate the constantly-evolving world of product management and deliver exceptional value because we constantly seek ways to streamline our processes, boost productivity, and add value for our customers. Agile is more than simply a set of Principles and Processes; it’s a mindset that values flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development, and as product managers, we set an example for our teams and organisations by promoting these Agile practices. The era of rigid plans and lengthy product roadmaps is over. With the help of agile approaches, we can uncover the value of directly collaborating with our customers and viewing change as an opportunity rather than a disturbance. We will understand our customers’ desires and modify your aims by making regular and incremental delivery. Embracing the Agile Mindset An agile mentality has advantages that go beyond merely enhancing customer satisfaction. It has also enabled product managers to embrace a culture of continuous improvement, where we are encouraged to assess our performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and make the necessary changes. This has made the workplace more proactive, flexible, and collaborative. Iteration Development Imagine you are working on a project when the requirements suddenly change. This could be a significant setback in a traditional waterfall development process. However, we can adapt to change and adjust to new realities with Agile. The key is to embrace change and use it as an opportunity to improve. Iterative development is one of the cornerstones of Agile. Instead of waiting until the end to deliver a finished product, we deliver it in smaller, more manageable chunks. This allows us to get feedback more frequently and early, ensuring we are on the right track and delivering value to our customers. Collaboration and Transparency Agile methodologies place a significant emphasis on collaboration and transparency. We remove barriers and encourage shared accountability for the product’s success by establishing cross-functional teams and regular communication. Daily stand-up meetings, backlog refinement sessions, and retrospectives help to create a collaborative environment where team members can share ideas, work through challenges, and coordinate efforts to accomplish a single goal. Adaptability Agile approaches have given us the tools to accept and manage change effectively in today’s fast-paced market because they acknowledge that change is inevitable and should be welcomed rather than fought. We can also adapt and respond to changing conditions through frequent iterations based on customer feedback, market trends, and fresh business opportunities. Here are some additional benefits of Agile development: Increased flexibility and adaptability: Agile development is based on continuous improvement. This means that we are constantly adapting to new information and feedback. This makes Agile development very well-suited for projects that are subject to change. Reduced risk and cost: Agile development is a risk-mitigation strategy. By delivering smaller, more manageable chunks of work, we can identify and address risks early on. This can help us to avoid costly mistakes. Improved quality and customer satisfaction: Agile development is focused on delivering high-quality products that meet the needs of our customers. We can ensure we build the right product by getting feedback early and often. Increased team collaboration and communication: Agile development is a team sport. It requires close collaboration and communication between all members of the team. This can help to build trust and camaraderie, and it can also help to improve the quality of the work. Overall, Agile development is a powerful tool that can help us to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget. It is well-suited for projects subject to change and can help us reduce risk and improve customer satisfaction. Conclusion To enhance your product management strategy, embrace the Agile mindset. It’s not just about following a set of techniques; it’s about adopting a way of thinking and functioning that prioritises customer value and continuous improvement. Trust me, the world is constantly evolving, and the best product managers are the ones who can change and advance along with it. Keep in mind that Agile is a mindset as well as a methodology. So, let your sense of adventure lead you as you seek out novel ideas, work with your team, and impress your clients. Accept the delight and excitement of adopting Agile, and enjoy the journey! Bonus Tips (Go on an Agile Adventure) Think of Agile as a daring adventure where you go out on a quest for knowledge and innovation. Take chances, embrace the unknown, and remain open to unexpected detours. Agile is all about experimentation and picking up new skills as you go. Consider allowing freedom for creativity and experimentation rather than adhering to a strict strategy. Encourage members of your team to think creatively and implement novel ideas. Accept the flexibility to change and improve as you take advantage of opportunities and overcome obstacles. Ann Ezeogu Product Management Community Lead