“Design-Led Agility: Unraveling the Influence of Design Thinking in the Agile Methodology Journey by User Experience Designers”

Abstract

This article examines the impact of design thinking on the implementation of agile methods by user experience designers, with a focus on the roles of coordination and user testing as mediators. Data were collected from an online survey of 431 user experience designers in France between 2020 and 2022 and analyzed using structural equation modeling ( partial least squares regressions ). The results reveal a positive direct effect of research on conception and a positive direct effect of conception on user testing. In addition, a positive direct effect of user testing and coordination on the implementation of agile methods was observed. The research and conception dimensions of design thinking also exert a positive effect on agile methods through coordination. Finally, user testing fully mediates the relationship between conception and agile methods. The discussion addresses the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings and suggests directions for future research.