Summary
We'll take a look at how UX propagates within organizations using a viral model ( a modified SIR model to be more precise ). We'll look at such questions as: Does it simply need more time? Is the transmission rate/function the problem? Is part of the organization effectively "inoculated" against UX? and how, when and where to track progress While getting UX into an organization isn't as simple as solving a set of differential equations, we hope to show you that doing just that might be a useful step in getting insights into what might work and what might not.
Key Insights
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Mathematics is increasingly relevant in UX research, blending quantitative rigor with qualitative insights.
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Exponential growth in social contexts can provide a useful framework for understanding how UX practices spread within organizations.
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Models simplify complex systems, which helps UX designers and researchers to conceptualize user journeys.
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The connection between conceptual models and mathematical models is crucial for understanding system behaviors.
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Viral models can inform the strategies used to implement UX initiatives in organizations sustainably.
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Models need operational definitions to convert qualitative insights into measurable data for analysis.
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Even if mathematical predictions fail to hold, experimenting with models can yield useful information that enriches understanding.
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The relationship between UX adoption and organizational behavior can be analyzed through frameworks inspired by viral spread models.
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Interdisciplinary approaches between humanities and math can lead to richer insights in UX research.
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Math models can inspire creative strategies in understanding and enhancing user experiences.
Notable Quotes
"More math is coming our way into research into UX."
"A model is a simplified representation of a system."
"Exponential growth is not just linear; it multiplies quickly and can be mind-boggling."
"All models are wrong, but some are useful."
"You can create operational definitions to tighten up this notion between the viral model and the conceptual model."
"Mathematical models don't just have to be there for the numbers; they can be inspirational."
"There are competing variants in how UX spreads within an organization."
"Some groups act like they're vaccinated against new UX practices."
"You have to get beyond the SA or V model to understand complex systems."
"It's worth taking a shot whether it works or not; interesting information can come from failure."
















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