User experience analysis UNAN

Understanding the context of use for systems, products and services and specifying user experience requirements and design goals.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

This skill is inclusive of a full range of user tasks not just digital tasks. The skill can be applied in various contexts, such as: customer experience, products, services, applications, devices, learning experience and employee experience.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

identifying, analysing, clarifying and communicating the context in which the product or service will be used
describing users’ goals, tasks and the environment within which the systems, products, services or devices will be used
creating and describing personas to represent key user segments
developing user stories or requirements to describe features or capabilities
agreeing user experience design goals
analysing and prioritising user experience needs with stakeholders
understanding and specifying user experience and user accessibility requirements for all potential users.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

User experience analysis: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists with user experience analysis tasks under routine supervision.

Supports the collection and documentation of user requirements.

Helps organise and structure user experience data for analysis.

User experience analysis: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Applies standard techniques and tools for developing user stories and eliciting user experience requirements.

Organises and structures user experience analysis.

Works with stakeholders to prioritise requirements and resolve conflicts.

User experience analysis: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Selects appropriate techniques and tools to develop user stories and elicit user experience requirements in complex situations.

Identifies and describes the design goals for systems, products, services and devices.

Identifies the roles of affected stakeholder groups. Resolves potential conflicts between differing user requirements.

Specifies measurable criteria for the required usability and accessibility of systems, products, services and devices.

User experience analysis: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Determines the approaches to be used for user experience analysis.

Plans and manages user experience and accessibility analysis activities.

Provides expert advice and guidance to support the adoption and adaptation of agreed approaches.

Develops user experience tools, techniques and standards as part of the organisation's framework for user-centred design

Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

New level