Design Driven Option

From WCAG WG

Introduction

This option for the design of Silver is most oriented toward using user research and data to design Silver and write the requirements. All the intensive research methods will be in this option.

This process specifically addresses the goals:

  • Perspectives
  • Evidence & data
  • Scope

The emphasis for this process option is on:

  • Gathering a broad range of insights and perspectives.
  • Representing a broad range of roles and usage, so the outcome of the process better serves the full range of users and user needs.
  • Using investigative and integrative research and sense-making to explore diverse options.
  • Using evidence, data, and user perspectives to drive decision-making throughout the project.

Phase 1: Discovery

Understand needs, identify opportunities

User Research

In the user research phase we seek to understand and learn from people who use WCAG and people who are affected either directly by WCAG. These include people who use WCAG:

  • As a design specification, to guide decision-making in the design of digital products
  • As a technical standard, to build accessibility into digital products
  • To measure compliance, evaluating whether digital products adhere to standards
  • To document compliance, documenting accessibility in digital products
  • To support laws and regulations, as a baseline standard for policies, laws, requirements
  • To teach accessibility, providing design and technical guidance for teaching how to design and build accessible digital products

Stakeholder Map

  • What: Consolidate and communicate constituents and relationships
  • Why: Learn about stakeholders for Silver user research
  • How: Brainstorming session (phone or in person)

Survey

  • included across all options
  • What: Administer a survey
  • Why: Learn about experiences, perceptions of using WCAG
  • How: Online survey

Stakeholder Interviews

  • What: Interview thought leaders, others on their use of WCAG
  • Why: Learn about experiences, perceptions of using WCAG
  • How: Could be done via phone

Contextual Inquiry

  • What: Combination of interviews and observation of use of WCAG
  • Why: Learn about experiences, perceptions of using of WCAG
  • How: Observe how people use WCAG
  • Best done in person

Research

WCAG analysis

  • included across all options
  • Systematic examination of WCAG and its component parts, including the guidelines and the process of creating/maintaining WCAG
  • Learn about the technical, cultural, and practical aspects of WCAG
  • Done through inventory and analysis

Analysis of WCAG adaptations

  • included across all options
  • Systematic examination of secondary adaptations/interpretations/resources
  • Learn about…
  • Done through inventory and analysis

Phase 2: Interpretation

Transform data into insights

Synthesis

Personas

  • Composite descriptions of people who use WCAG

User Stories

  • Short stories describing how personas use WCAG

Analysis

Analysis / inventory

  • included across all options
  • Identify themes/insights
  • Choose key themes/insights to pursue

Grouping

  • Affinity diagram
    • Note individual observations on post-its, create clusters and describe them
  • Card sorting
    • Participatory design method for creating groupings

Communication

Report

  • included across all options
  • Report of conclusions of the surveys/interviews
  • List of topics for the ideation workshop (10 weeks before workshop date)
  • Key themes/insights
    • Diagrams

Phase 3: Ideation

Concept Generation

Face-to-face (F2F) facilitated workshop

Choosing

Consensus decision of the subgroup

  • presented to the WCAG WG for approval

Phase 4: Experimentation

Prototyping

User Research

A/B/C testing

User Journeys

Refinement

Refine prototype

Choosing

Consensus decision of the subgroup

  • presented to the WCAG WG for approval

Phase 5: Production and Evolution

Resourcing

Establish resources

  • what does that mean in this context?

Establish partnerships

  • partner with W3C members to contribute fellow time or more time for Silver members to contribute

Hiring an editor for the spec

  • editor would be responsible for proposals that implement insights from earlier phases

Management

Identify specific milestones

  • included across all options

Production

Writing F2F meeting

  • people can work in small groups to discuss and produce sections of the spec.

Maintenance and Evolution

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