Survival Guide to User-Focused Product Development: Methods Against Madness
My book (CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group), ‘Survival Guide to User-Focused Product Development: Methods Against Madness’ (ISBN 9781032878805):
Reviews
Excellent guide for new and seasoned product-adjacent professionals:
An excellent, succinct guide to product development that will be invaluable to both people new to the field and those with considerable experience. The guide is very well written and manages to pull together the whole product development process neatly, covering user research and UCD alongside the many other aspects of product development. I liked how it explained the origins of different approaches and practices, providing useful context to how they are relevant in modern frameworks. I particularly appreciated that every page contains useful, precise information rather than padding things out unnecessarily or leaving the reader to work out what the important points are. I also liked the comprehensive references, which provide continuity for anyone wanting to explore particular areas in more depth. As an experienced researcher, I found this book packed with plenty of helpful information and perspectives. Highly recommended for anyone working in research, UCD, product development or any of the many adjacent disciplines.
Senior UX Researcher, UK, Amazon Review, 5 stars, 28 Sept. 2026
“I received your book and have started reading it! It’s great! Thank you so much! My son just graduated with a master’s in HCI and has started his first job, so I’m going to share your book with him when I’m done reading it.”
UX Research & Design Advisor, US, 19 Sept. 2026
“The book is an insightful mix of tactical recommendations and anecdotal experience, and extends beyond ‘how to do research’ into ‘how to make research matter’. Great stuff. I highly recommend ordering a copy and learning from Sabrina’s wealth of knowledge and expertise.”
Research & Strategy Lead, US, 16 Sept. 2026
Order from publisher with 25% discount from retail price with code SGUFPD25 at checkout!
Guest Authors
- Yann Wermuth, Partner, Vendbridge AG
- Jim Kalbach, Chief Evangelist, Mural
- Sarah Reeves, Senior Product Operations Manager, The Stepstone Group
- Kamila Ćwiakowska, Senior Product Operations Manager, The Stepstone Group
- Simon Lingard Woods, Design Director & Accenture Song Scotland Lead, Accenture
- Jared Huke, Managing Principal, Energy Consulting, EPAM Systems & Founder, Daito Design
- Rob L’Esperance, ex-Vice President Corporate Communications, The Stepstone Group
- Jason Beck, Senior Group Design Manager, Deliveroo
- Johannes Robier, CEO, youspi Consulting GmbH & Founder of the World Usability Congress
Thank you to Kuldeep Kulshreshtha and Jan Binczyk for contributing their ‘madness stories’ to the book.
We need methods against madness in UX and product development!
Have you ever felt that product development is madness? Did you witness irrational decisions, not based on data or user research insights? Have you ever seen millions wasted on the wrong products that fail to address user needs?
When a product doesn’t address user needs, it fails. People often prefer not to discuss failed products, instead sweeping them under the rug. As a result, they miss all opportunities to learn and do it differently next time. That’s why they often use the same flawed methods when creating a new product, which consequently fails as well. This perpetuates the cycle of madness in product development. Doing the same thing over and over again with the same poor results, and not changing course, is the definition of madness. We often see that in product development. And often, UX people suffer.
My book ‘Survival Guide to User-Focused Product Development: Methods Against Madness’ helps you stay sane by providing solid frameworks, illustrated by examples and case studies, and complemented by multiple perspectives from 9 guest authors.
Did you also experience madness in UX and product development? What are your ‘methods against madness’?