Artifacts for Agile User-Centered Design: A Systematic Mapping

Abstract

Abstract-The integration of Agile and User-Centered Design methods is a fundamental condition to improve the quality of software products. However, one of the main problems faced to establish this integration on a day-to-day basis is how to improve communication among the invariably distinct involved teams. We believe that the artifacts involved in the development process could be used to support and increase teams' communication.To better understand this scenario, we performed a systematic mapping study on artifacts and their role in the communication between Agile and User-Centered Design fields. Through the analysis of 56 papers dealing with this specific topic, we present the artifacts used for communication in these approaches and software development events when they are used. The analyzed studies reinforced our beliefs about the importance of artifacts to improve teams' communication.

Artifact-Facilitated Communication in Agile User-Centered Design

“…Our findings reveal that seven distinct artifacts were mentioned by Scrum Practitioners community members as facilitators in communication between designer and developer. Moreover, the results from Garcia et al [13] demonstrate that 20 artifacts accomplish this purpose. Therefore, to concentrate on the most used artifacts, we highlighted the intersection between this systematic mapping study and the findings herein presented (Fig.…”

“…This mapping study [13] also revealed five distinct events involving artifacts used as communication mediators -Discovery, Planning, Iterative Cycle, Review Meeting, and General Meetings. The Iterative Cycle was the event with the greatest sharing of artifacts, and, in this event, Prototypes, and User Stories once again were the most cited artifacts.…”

“…Bearing in mind the importance of the artifacts for the Agile UCD integration, Garcia et al [13] carried out a systematic mapping to identify which are the artifacts used and in which contexts they have been used to facilitate the communication in Agile User-Centered Design approaches. In this systematic mapping, the authors identified 20 different artifact groups that play a critical role as a communication facilitator.…”

“…Data coding is the process of organizing the data by grouping related data and labeling these categories with a term [7]. Since we have benefited from the results of Garcia et al [13] we defined a preliminary codebook based on the theory which evolved during data analysis, ending up with 31 codes. From all codes, "Events" and "Artifacts" had sub-nodes that were used to break down the analysis per event and artifact.…”

Working software over comprehensive documentation – Rationales of agile teams for artefacts usage

“…Finally a solution model illustrates aspects of the future solution in a concrete model, such as a GUI mock-up or an abstract model, such as a data model. Garcia et al (2017) used a systematic mapping study to identify which artefacts are used in order to facilitate the communication in an agile user-centred design approach, but did not classify the resulting artefacts. Artefacts in both studies bear similarities to those in previously mentioned models, but are restricted to artefacts with regard to requirements and user-centred design respectively.…”