How do you manage user feedback after deploying a solution?
User feedback is a vital source of information for business analysts who want to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of their solutions. However, managing user feedback after deploying a solution can be challenging, especially if you have to deal with a large and diverse user base, conflicting opinions, and changing requirements. In this article, we will share some tips on how to manage user feedback after deploying a solution, based on the best practices of business analysis.
Before you collect and analyze user feedback, you need to define your feedback goals. What are the main questions you want to answer with user feedback? How will you measure the success of your solution? How will you prioritize and address the feedback issues? Having clear and specific feedback goals will help you focus on the most relevant and actionable feedback, and avoid getting overwhelmed by irrelevant or vague comments.
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I had an experience when the client feedback was not as we expected after deploying the product. Luckily, I prepared the questions that helped both sides (client and IT team) to understand the goals and initial requirements from the customer. The questions that I have prepared to ask after the session were: - Does the solution align with your business goals? - How is the performance of the system and are you able to perform your tasks normally? - Is everything clear to the user from the UI point? - Is there function you would to like update?
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Managing user feedback post-solution is key. Personalize responses, listen actively, prioritize issues, and iterate for continuous improvement.
There are many ways to gather user feedback, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, usability tests, analytics, and reviews. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your feedback goals, your user characteristics, and your resources. You should choose the feedback methods that suit your needs, and combine them if necessary. For example, you can use surveys to get quantitative data on user satisfaction and performance, and interviews to get qualitative insights on user needs and expectations.
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There are many different ways of getting the feedback such as workshops, surveys, analytics and etc. However, I personally prefer interview. Why? 1. It creates some sort of sincerity between me and stakeholder. 2. Emotions may give some insight about what a person truly feels. Most of the time we don't get it remotely. 3. It's easier to have a clear view on the same topic. There are some useful tips that I think Business Analyst should consider when selecting interview method: 1. Try to have a face to face meeting, if it's possible. 2. Prepare the questions in advance. 3. Send message or email to thank for setting up time for interview to the stakeholder.
Once you have collected user feedback, you need to organize and analyze it to identify patterns, trends, themes, and gaps. You can use various tools and techniques to help you with this task, such as spreadsheets, databases, charts, graphs, mind maps, affinity diagrams, and root cause analysis. You should also categorize your feedback data according to different criteria, such as user type, solution feature, feedback type, and urgency. This will help you to sort and prioritize your feedback issues, and to communicate them effectively to your stakeholders.
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I personally use paper and a pen while having interview. I take notes not on my laptop or any electronic device, but rather I prefer writing my notes down on a piece of paper. Why? It may sound strange, but I believe there is something called "hand memory". When you write something down instead of typing, you tend to remember it better. After I have my notes on the paper, I organize them and analyze the data using some tools. I prefer this method and also advice my students to do the same. Because it gives you better understanding and clearty.
After you have analyzed your feedback data, you need to implement and communicate your feedback actions. Feedback actions are the steps you take to address the feedback issues, such as fixing bugs, adding features, improving design, or providing training. You should document your feedback actions, and explain how they align with your feedback goals and user needs. You should also communicate your feedback actions to your users and stakeholders, and solicit their feedback on the changes. This will help you to build trust and rapport with your users, and to ensure that your solution meets their expectations.
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After analyzing the feedback data, I try to divide them into some sections and categories in order to implement the right action. I try to have some tags according the the priority and urgency of the action. For example, it may look like this: Action:Fixing the bug regarding contact form Type: Bug Priority: High Additional comments: It blocks user from sending the request "
Finally, you need to monitor and evaluate your feedback outcomes. Feedback outcomes are the results of your feedback actions, such as improved user satisfaction, increased user adoption, reduced user complaints, or enhanced business value. You should measure your feedback outcomes using the same or similar feedback methods and metrics that you used before. You should also compare your feedback outcomes with your feedback goals, and assess whether you have achieved them or not. If not, you should identify the reasons and the gaps, and plan for further feedback actions.
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In my experience at a health insurance company, managing user feedback after deploying a solution was a crucial part of ensuring our offerings met user needs and expectations. We established a continuous feedback loop through various channels like post-deployment surveys, direct user interviews, and feedback forms integrated into our digital platforms. This allowed users to easily share their thoughts and concerns. Moreover, we categorized feedback into critical, major, and minor issues based on their impact. Critical issues were promptly addressed, major issues were scheduled for the next update, and minor ones were recorded for future improvements.
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Managing user feedback after deploying a solution involves collecting and categorizing user input, assigning responsibility for handling it, and documenting feedback. Prioritizing feedback based on impact, planning, and scheduling changes are crucial steps. Implement solutions, communicate progress, and close the feedback loop with users. Analyze feedback trends for long-term improvements, express gratitude to users, and continuously iterate to enhance the product and user experience.
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Here are some useful tips that you may want to consider implementing feedback outcomes: 1. Don't give promises to clients before discussing and estimating the efforts to solve issues with the team. There may be technical points that you have overlooked. So it's always good idea to consult with the team first. 2. Take notes. 3. Send email about the outcomes of the meeting to the interviewee to be on the same page. 4. Prepare the questions in advance.
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