Formal Launch for U-Pods sees Wide International Reach

U-Pods, the new organisation for usability managers detailed in UN story: U-Pods herald New Structure for Managers to Exchange Support, is now formally launched.

So far more than 100 people have signed up of which 61 qualify for membership. At launch, pod members are from Canada, China, Finland, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Members are from a diverse range of companies, including the BBC, Accenture, EDS, Lycos, Macromedia, Microsoft Game Studios, Motorola, Nokia, and Sprint PCS.

Aimed specifically at people in the field of usability, U-Pods comprises a number of small groups (or pods). People in each pod share their experiences, insights and problems in managing usability or human factors teams. In return, they get ideas and constructive support from their peers.

Membership of U-Pods is open to anyone, worldwide, who manages a usability or Human Factors group. U-Pods was founded by a group of volunteers keen to improve the way usability is managed within organisations. The founder members are Ali Vassigh, Philip Hodgson and Scott Leazenby (from Whirlpool Corporation's Global Consumer Design organization), and usability consultants Todd Johnsgard and David Travis.

Although organisations already exist to help usability professionals to network, U-Pods is causing some excitement in the industry because it is the first time that usability managers have had a voice. U-Pods is a large organisation of managers with significant corporate resources. This means it can tackle industry-wide issues, helping create tools, processes and standards to promote the management of usability.

Associated Link: U-PODS

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