Lean UX, 2nd Edition

Authors’ Note

There are many folks who have continued to be patient, supportive, and inspirational as we set out to write the second edition of this book. We wanted to take a moment to thank them.

The core of our learning and support came from our colleagues at Neo and our experiences launching, building, growing, and sunsetting a truly pioneering consulting company. These folks include Giff Constable, Ben Burton, Jono Mallanyk, Anil Podduturi, Jonathan Irwin, Tim Lombardo, Corey Innis, David Bland, Nicole Rufuku, Ian McFarland, Rabble, Paul Wilson, Mike Doel, Gina Winkler, Ken Barker, Julia Mantel, Balin Brandt, and many more. We tried to use our own ideas to build a business that tested, expanded, invalidated, and fortified many of the tactics, techniques, and points of view we’ve shared with you in this book. We’re grateful to our colleagues and clients and humbled by all we’ve learned from them.

As always, we would like to thank the many folks who have contributed material to the book. As was true the first time we wrote this book, we had more case studies and contributions than we could use, so some of the wonderful material our colleagues shared didn’t fit into the manuscript. This reflects more on our writing process than the quality of the contribution. With that said, thanks to Lane Goldstone, Emily Holmes, Mikael Lindh, Helene Brinkgaard, Henriette Hosbond, James Kelway, Ann Yauger, Archie Miller, Beth Sutherland, Tony Collins, Derya Eilertsen, Bill Scott, Cody Evol, Shilpa Dhar, Jeff Harrell, Dave Cronin, Dan Harrelson, Alethea Hannemann, Kristen Teti, and Matthew Hayto.

Note: From Jeff

I’d like to continue to thank my writing and business partner Josh Seiden. Despite writing three books together, building a business, working on projects, teaching together, and hanging out socially, we continue to seek out opportunities to collaborate. I learn continuously from our partnership. I also enjoy making fun of Josh’s age (hint: he’s really old).

Finally, no project comes without sacrifice. This edition of the book is no different. I continue to be amazed and grateful at the love, patience, and support I’ve had from my family over the years since the first edition came out. My wife, Carrie, has dealt with far too many hours of me locked in my office tapping at the keyboard, in hotel rooms in foreign cities, or on the airplanes taking me to those destinations. That sacrifice is not lost on me. To my daughters, Grace and Sophie, I hope I can provide some inspiration about achieving seemingly impossible tasks and having the courage to give things a shot, even if you don’t think you know what you’re doing. I love you all. Thank you.

Note: From Josh

In this book, Jeff and I describe a working style that is deeply collaborative. That’s my preferred style of working—I always feel that I learn more and am more effective when I’m collaborating. Whatever I’ve been able to contribute to this book is a result of the amazing collaborations I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy in my career. You all know who you are. I’m very grateful to all of you.

There is one working collaboration that I do need to call out though: it’s been a real pleasure to continue to collaborate with Jeff. Jeff supplies many of the things in this partnership that I can’t, including optimism about deadlines, audacity in setting goals, and tirelessness in evangelizing. He’s a smart, hard-working, and egoless partner. He is not, however, funny. If that’s needed, I usually have to provide it.

Thanks finally, to Vicky, Naomi, and Amanda. I love you.

From Jeff and Josh

This second version of the book is our attempt to update the material to the current state of Lean UX practice and thinking. We’ve had four years to experiment, iterate, and optimize the ideas and techniques originally detailed in this book and we felt it was time to share that insight with you.

Lean methods are learning methods, and we expect to be learning and discovering even more as we continue our journey as practitioners and teachers of Lean UX. As you embark or continue your travel down this path, we’d love to hear about your journey—your successes, challenges, and failures—so that we can keep learning through our collaboration with you.

Please keep in touch with us and share your thoughts. You can reach us at [e-mail] and [e-mail]. We continue to look forward to hearing from you.