Use this tool to document the experiences you observe directly from users or from other metrics. This can reflect the experience of an individual user or a composite of similar user behaviors. The diagram can help communicate troublesome areas of a particular process in the user experience.

The idea is…
The more unexpected activities we add to a process the more room there is for complication.
The more a user slides the more likely they may fall and not achieve their goal.

To address this…
We must remember to better manage expectations and assist users in completing required tasks so they don’t fall.

With almost 10 years experience in UX it’s time to evaluate and expand. I’m beginning this journey by preparing an online portfolio.

Preparing an online portfolio is new for me, but will be an incredible exercise in identifying my best work, succinctly articulating my accomplishments, and broadcasting this to the world.

One thing is true with all of my endeavors… I plan them out. So, here’s the plan:

1. Identify strengths and skills to include
I’m starting with an assessment of the strengths and skills I wish to highlight from my work. Here’s what I’m looking to demonstrate:

• design and user research
• information architecture
• interaction design
• user experience strategy
• usability evaluation
• models and frameworks
• collaboration and brainstorming
• process development

2. Review past work for examples
Next I dig into my past work looking for examples of all of these strengths and skills. I’m not looking to categorize all of my work, but I am looking for good examples where I had a significant effort that I can speak to.

3. Pick the 5 best
Why only 5 examples? More is not better. I want to really shine without being overwhelming or too repetitive.

4. Write mini case studies
Once I narrow the examples, each will be described through a mini case study that covers:

• purpose and goals
• process and challenges
• effect and result

In the end I should have a good idea of all that I’ve accomplished in the past 10 years and where I want to improve.

Team Conan! Balloon art by Black Cat Balloon Company

My friend, Sue has created a masterpiece. A true statement for the cause. Check out all the great balloon art from Black Cat Balloon Company on Flickr.

Here’s a collection of other fun things for Team Conan.

• Team Conan
  http://teamconan.com
• Craigslist Ad:
  18 January 2010
• Jobs for Conan:
  Assistant Balloon Twister at Black Cat Balloon Company

Chaired for Pre-Conference at the IA Summit in Memphis, TN
With the help of fantastic folks like Samantha Bailey, Keith Instone, Mags Hanley, Jennifer Bohmbach, Donna Spencer, Stacy Surla, and Dick Hill, I took on the responsibility to organize and manage the efforts of the pre-conference workshops for the 2009 IA Summit. In addition to workshops, we also were able to hold the first-ever consortium in the history of the Summit. An awesome accomplishment with great success for the content strategy community.

Ran Second Marathon in Baltimore
In 2008 I ran my first marathon in Philadelphia with my good friend, Regan. It was such a major accomplishment for the both of us in my hometown that we also decided to give it a go in hers. Read about the fantastic experience we had in October.

Completed Full Year as a UX Researcher
In my quest to be the best User Experience Designer I can I chose to spend the past 18 months concentrating on understanding our users and how to best use that information to affect the products we provide. I’m very proud of the work I’ve done so far and the progress I’ve made as a new researcher and a designer.

Mentored a Transitioning UX Designer
I had the privilege this year of providing guidance to a very smart and enthusiastic woman interested in transitioning to UX. This is really fantastic and rewarding opportunity. I’m very proud of the progress and hope to continue playing a role in her transition.

Traveled to London, Edinburgh, Zagreb and Hawaii
Like every year, we try our best to travel to new places while also making a stop in Zagreb to see family. This year was no exception. The UK is always a treat, but Edinburgh was amazing and I really hope we get the opportunity to live there one day. Enjoy the pictures from my trip to London and Edinburgh.

I can only hope that 2010 continues to be a year of great experience and accomplishment. Looking forward to whatever lies ahead.

Since I watch most of my TV online, I’ve employed this low-tech, manual process for managing what I watch. The sticky you see to the right includes entries for all the shows I follow that includes these details:

• name of the show
• last episode I watched
• link to where I watch it
• when the show returns from hiatus

It works well for now, but many of my shows are on hiatus. When they start airing again and I start to watch them with my husband and friends, this will quickly become more work than it’s worth.

I patiently wait for the day when Fancast can do this for me.