Designing user interfaces for a web applications is not rocket science. Neither is predicting optimal user experience the realm of mystic divination. Much of what works is documented as design patterns freely available to all.
However it seems that recently it has become fashionable to promote user centric design processes which while valid have the effect of dramatically slowing down development speed while at the same time hindering innovation. A more balanced approach to the design process is required. This balance should retain the good things about the user driven model while at the same time looking for speed-ups and new opportunity for innovation.
It is the aim of the visually driven design process to expose every step in the process by presenting it diagrammatically. From a high to a low level the user interface is described visually. The approach has the effect of reducing the perceived complexity of design to a level where business and other non design orientated stake holders are empowered to a level where feedback and approval turnaround times are insignificant.
At the end of the initial design steps a usability gate step is included to provide a sanity test and fine tune of the design before delivery of the final build specification.
After build the design is reviewed to ensure accuracy against the build specification before testing begins. Post go live the application a usability test step is recommended to run against the final application to ascertain latency, data scaling and temporal factors not possible to be tested prior to the final application delivery.
