UX research cheat code

Ongoing research activities throughout the design process help make the product/service objectionable better by using data in decision-making. What & when to use the right research methods is important.

IMG CREDIT: NigthCafe

Discovery

In the earlier stages of the product where most ideation occurs, the most common research methods used include:

• Stakeholder interview: This includes one-on-one interviews with stakeholders who have a vested interest in the product, questions & follow-ups are asked to gain insight.

Stakeholder guide: Credit Business analysist learnings

• User interview: Much like stakeholder interviews, User interviews involve asking potential users questions about a product/service to understand their perspectives on the product/service. The difference is that users, use the product/service rather than just have interest in it compared to stakeholder interviews.

Explore

Chances are that your product/service has competitors, use research methods to determine how you can differentiate.

• Competitive analysis: Is similar to benchmarking it includes analyzing other similar products/services either direct/indirect to determine strengths & or weaknesses that your product/service can address. There are many competitor analysis templates that can be downloaded such as the example below👇:

Competitor analysis template on Miro

• Journey mapping: Includes a visual process of the steps a user goes to complete a task. Actions, mindset & emotions are determined which can open opportunities to improve the steps in completing a task. Like competitive analysis, you can download Journey map templates such as the one below👇:

Journey map template on Miro

Persona development: This includes creating fictional characters with some researched insight, considering potential users & determine their behaviors, goals, motivations…