UX design and its techniques (think Journey Mapping, for example) is only one way to look at a system involving people. It is just as important an activity when technical people, data scientists or business people create system diagrams, and mathematical models or do business analysis. But, more important than any one model or technique is finding a way to integrate them all.

Some other things to know about Integrating Disciplines:

• While many technical diagrams of the system can be intricate for other people to follow, ‘following the data’ is, in most cases, not something that can act as an intersection point for the disciplines.
• It’s rarely too early to bring multiple disciplines together.
• The more complex the project (time, money, departments impacted, integrations to technology and process), the more valuable the integration is.
• Most complex projects need research. Don’t pre-suppose a UX researcher vs. a data scientist will bring more value (they likely both will). Figure out what you know and want to answer first.
• People are intelligent and can learn the gist of complex ideas in UX, technology, business or math as long as the language isn’t too technical. Work on educating each other.

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