Method Overview
Operationalize and Socialize
User Research
Use your insights from User Research in innovation development processes.
Planning Method
Suggested Time
Ongoing, cyclic exercise
Level of UX Expertise
High
Materials
Processed research data/ research report & presentation
Participants
User researcher and ideally all product stakeholders
Must have
This method can be applied to all types of innovations
What
Once defined, it is crucial to make your User Research insights count in the strategic decision making of your innovation development process. That means you need to make them actionable for the different stakeholders (operationalize) and known to decision makers (socialize).
How much time
It is an ongoing exercise after every User Research cycle. Count with a few days to write your report and 1-2 presentations with different stakeholders. Afterwards, plan for time in subsequent strategy meetings to revert to your results to guide crucial decisions regarding your innovation development.
Why
Successful products start with understanding user experience and then take design and technology decisions. Nevertheless, User Research is often done by single team members or is even outsourced to external researchers which can make it challenging to align priorities with the product development team. That is why you need tools and processes that are designed to integrate results.
Who
Everyone who has input into design decisions should ideally participate in User Research – at least in the role of an observer! This will increase buy-in for your research, especially from the leadership. Ideally, one person is assigned the role to bring in results of the User Research study whenever necessary and define what they mean for your current decision.
When
User Research and its integration in design decisions should be an ongoing process starting as early as possible in the ideation phase when major decisions are made and continue with the roll out and scaling of products or services.
Why it’s useful
Your user research results will guide the innovation development to create useful products for your target group
Potential challenges
Once your user research is done, the work begins!
Is this for you?
Get step-by-step guidance, expert tips and best practice examples for operationalizing and socializing your User Research insights.
Mariette McCampbell - Independent Ux Researcher
Image by Aline Weinsheimer
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