What is “Analysis Paralysis” in the design process? and how to avoid it?
Miss. Jane Doe is a 29 years old UX designer working with a well-known company in Seattle. She is currently working on a project where she has to communicate with different types of people including Steakholer, Product Managers, Designers, Developers. One day, after a long conversation, she was brainstorming about her project with her colleagues and the manager, and she found that she was looping through a specific path or topic where people were less confident to make a particular discussion.
Sounds familiar? No?
Ok then, Let me give you some different examples.
“So Analysis Paralysis is a state of mind when a person can not make a proper decision because of over-analyzing data or overthinking a problem.”
Why and when it happens in the design process?
We make decisions in one of two ways according to American psychologist Herbert Simon :
- Some of us “Satisfy”: These people chose the first choice that suits their needs (or choose an alternative that appears to fulfill most needs).
2. Others "Maximize": These people never settle for the option available but try to search for other, stronger options.
Of the two classes, maximizers are the ones that are likely to delay decision-making in the hope of seeking a suitable solution, proposing or selling, and who also suffer from paralysis of thought.He/she carries a strong fear of making the wrong choice. He/she becomes obsessed with making the right choice or going for a better alternative, thus delaying his / her choice.
A designer may suffer from Analysis Paralysis in a design phase because of some over-analyzed data before starting a design project, some developer-side tech constraints, lack of confidence in his / her own skill, some design myth could also be a cause of this.
How to avoid it?
Because of this Analysis Paralysis, productivity could be less so it’s very important to bear in mind that it shouldn’t happen in your organization and discussing some points below on how to prevent it:
- Identify it: When you feel you are going through an Analysis paralysis state in any discussion or design system, you need to identify as soon as possible.
- Identify the Objectives Behind a Decision: You will find it easier to arrive at the right decision if you are clear about your needs. Let’s take an example, you plan on purchasing a new car. If you consider buying a vehicle, you will know you want a new car, since the old car is no longer comfortable. So the main purpose is comfort, this will help you find the best comfort in all the alternatives you want.
3. Do not look back once you have agreed! : If you look back, you’ll get confused again and start to reconsider your previous decision. So staying put on your final decision is better than doing it all over again. Note that you have already given the necessary amount of time to and alternative, and so have reached a certain conclusion. Looking back you will doubt your own decision.
4. Validate with real user: In our design process, people often say “I think user doesn’t like it” or “I think I don’t like this option”. So here is the point “I and we are not the user” rather this approach will create lots of design problems and because of this “I and we assumption” designer might get confused about what he/she has to do. The best solution is to go and check with real users, which will save you valuable time and energy.
5. Set a clear timeline: Last but not least, a clear timeline will help you create a free Analysis Paralysis environment, where you can organize your work based on its importance.
Key takeaway:
✔ Analysis Paralysis is a state of mind which occurs because of overanalyzed or fuzzy data.
✔ Analysis Paralysis can affect your productivity so always keep in mind identification is the first step to avoid it.
✔ Be confident about your skill but don’t make any vital design decision with your assumption.
✔ Setting a clear goal and timeline can help you to create a free Analysis Paralysis environment.
