ValidConcept: Nuance

Nuance Communications acquired Tegic’s mobile text input portfolio from AOL and retained ValidConcept to support further design refinements. I proposed validation methods for new product concepts, recruited and managed the time and tasks of contract staff, and executed the project plans within schedule and budget.

We completed exploratory user research and best-in-class design for the next generation of mobile text input systems, including longitudinal studies to measure adoption and satisfaction. For a few early concept studies, I created paper-and-plastic prototypes to reveal how users would hold and type on tablets like the just-released iPad.

Digging into Data

For another potential product’s Beta test, my SWAT team of grad students and I analyzed multiple user surveys and server data. The Beta test had been launched hastily, without my guidance, relying on self-selection by early adopters and lacking unique identifiers to tie trial users’ survey responses to the behavioral analytics. But we quickly segmented the participants, identified usage patterns, and summarized ratings and written feedback to give the product team an initial sense of customer interest and adoption.