My definition of a high-performance ecosystem is one which incorporates all the elements of having good UX as defined by Don Norman:
“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service – from initial intentions through final reflections, from first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.”
But it is not just about task achievement – for high-performance there is a specific focus on influencing the user in some way beyond the task they are trying to achieve. This might be using messaging within the system to underpin company culture or integrating AI to judge the mood of the person (like Woebot) and then try to help support the user in terms of helping their mental wellbeing within the system. So the system is leveraging the interface to enhance the performance of the user…but in a supportive way, not a dystopian controlling way! In short, it is:
- Inspiring
- Supportive
- Enhancing
With more and more elements of work being done online creating virtual environments that are enjoyable to spend time in will be benficial to everyone.
This is building on previous research such as Gaggioli, Villani, Serino, Banos and Botella’s work on “Positive Technology: Designing E-experiences for Positive Change” and Peters, Calvo and Ryan’s work “Designing for Motivation, Engagement and Wellbeing in Digital Experience” building on Self Determination theory.