Building Learning Products in Public with Laurie Barton – PDFL Podcast Episode 9Episode Summary

In Episode 9 of the Product Design for Learning podcast, host Greg Arthur sits down with Laurie Barton, a learning product designer and community-led advocate, to discuss the concept of "building in public" and its transformative impact on learning products. Laurie shares insights into how engaging with communities and involving end-users throughout the product lifecycle can lead to more effective, authentic, and purpose-driven learning experiences. They also delve into the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned when designing educational products collaboratively with stakeholders and learners.

Guest Profile

Laurie Barton is an expert in learning product design and community-driven approaches. She currently works at The Alliance, where she oversees the development of certifications and learning products with a community-led go-to-market strategy. With a background in EdTech and customer success, Laurie is passionate about bridging the gap between users' real-world needs and the learning solutions they engage with.

Key TakeawaysWhat does "building in public" mean for learning products?

Laurie defines building in public as involving the community and end-users throughout the design process to create learning products that are truly impactful. This approach ensures learning solutions are relevant, user-friendly, and capable of driving real-world application.

Why don’t more L&D teams adopt a product design mindset?

• Many learning teams fail to see themselves as product teams.
• Stakeholders often prioritize deadlines or preconceived ideas over audience needs.
• The disconnect between intention and implementation often results in underwhelming learning experiences.

What are the benefits of a community-led approach?

• Creates more authentic learning products by integrating real-world user experiences.
• Builds advocacy and trust by involving users early and often.
• Encourages continuous improvement through user feedback and iteration.

How do you decide what to include in your learning product?

Laurie explains how The Alliance balances user feedback, market research, and competitive intelligence to prioritize the most impactful content. They aim for users to leave with actionable skills they can apply immediately in their roles.

How does "building in public" help during MVP testing?

• Trusted focus groups or ambassadors are key for pre-launch refinement.
• Iteration with smaller cohorts prevents an overwhelming flood of opinions.
• Community involvement in testing ensures relevance and builds advocates for the final product.

What lessons has Laurie learned about building in public?

1. The Power of Community: Engage your audience to co-create impactful products.
2. Let Go of Being the Expert: Facilitate learning rather than dictating it.
3. Iteration Builds Trust: Embrace feedback and adapt continuously to create better experiences.

Chapters and Time Stamps[00:00] – Introduction

Greg welcomes Laurie Barton to the podcast and introduces the topic of building learning products in public.

[00:30] – Defining "Building in Public" for Learning Products

Laurie explains what building in public means and why it’s crucial for designing impactful learning experiences.

[02:20] – Why Laurie Embraces This Approach

Laurie shares her career journey and how her background in customer success informs her product-led approach to learning.

[05:14] – Getting to the "Aha" Moment

Greg and Laurie discuss the importance of delivering learning products that create trust and deliver quick, actionable wins.

[07:41] – The Role of Community in Product Design

Laurie highlights how The Alliance uses community-led go-to-market strategies to co-create learning experiences.

[12:30] – Differentiating Wants and Needs

Laurie explains how to balance user input with practical product design considerations to avoid feature bloat.

[19:00] – Formats, Features, and Functionality

The conversation shifts to how formats and learning objectives influence product design, using real-world examples like Duolingo and Monzo.

[28:00] – Lessons from Everyday Products

Laurie and Greg explore how lessons from consumer products, like iPhones and Shazam, can apply to learning products.

[39:00] – The Power of Iteration and Feedback

Laurie discusses how continuous iteration based on feedback keeps learning products relevant and impactful.

[53:00] – Final Takeaways

Laurie shares her top three lessons learned from building in public and emphasizes the importance of community engagement and flexibility.

About the Podcast

The Product Design for Learning (PDFL) podcast explores the intersection of product design, learning, and innovation. Hosted by Greg Arthur, each episode dives into practical strategies, real-world examples, and expert insights to help L&D professionals create more engaging and effective learning experiences.

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