Agile methodologies are transforming not only the way we work, but also what is expected of us as researchers. At BeyondCurious, we think that’s a good thing. In our experience, agile, iterative user experience research is the best way of conducting ux/usability research.
Why? It ensures that you’re making things that matter. Agile Research delivers rapid results to internal and client teams in as little as one week, allowing for quick pivots to align prototypes to user needs. This flexible, modular approach reduces client risk because it allows teams to test and learn. The research process iteratively informs development, and concrete, ongoing results enable rapid evolution, and ensure that you are making the best product for your end user.
Another benefit of Agile Research is that client and internal design/dev partners are part of the research team: there is no black box. This integrated team co-develops areas of inquiry, prototypes, and key questions. Agile research sprints do not produce dust-attracting research tomes. Instead, reports answer key questions, propelling product development forward with clear and targeted opportunities and recommendations. These sprints also quickly uncover additional questions that could be answered with future research to help move projects forward.
Sounds good, right? But how do you do it? How do you plan it? What kind of team do you need? How do you get recruits in so little time? What kinds of tools and techniques are best suited to agile? And what kind of mindset do you need to be able to pull it off successfully?
This presentation, given at World Usability Congress, teaches researchers, strategists, and designers how to plan and manage Agile Research, including:
Methodology
Research Approach and Planning
Recruiting
Tools and Techniques
Team
Mindset
Anupama Kundoo Cost Effective detailed ppt with plans and elevations with det...
BeyondCurious: Managing Agile Research
1. World Usability Congress
October 11, 2017
MANAGING AGILE RESEARCH
Carrie Yury, SVP Research & Strategy, BeyondCurious
Twitter: @carrieyury
Instagram: BeyondCurious
26. Find a way to say yes
• Collaboration and
partnership built on
mutual respect and
trust creates an
environment where
innovation flourishes
(fast failure, test and
learn)
• Flexible, non-
dogmatic mindset
allows for creativity,
pivoting, and
innovation
26
Innovation
Mindset
27. Focus your inquiry
• Each sprint has a
targeted learning
objective, developed
with integrated
team
• These MVF’s yield
targeted insights
that push key
aspects of the
experience forward
27
Minimum
Viable
Findings
28. Track your progress
• Sprint-over-sprint
quant/qual metrics
• Visible in one place
• Patterns and themes
about the process,
not just individual
sprint results
• Success metrics
defined and
achieved
28
Experience
Index Score
(XIS)
29. Keep it simple
• Based on strategic
insights gained from
research sprints
• Simple, easy-to-
remember principles
keep user needs top
of mind
• Guide the experience
29
Experience
Principles
36. Range of techniques
In-context testing
• Self-tracking studies
• In-home ethnography
• Shop-alongs
• Intercepts on Sonos.com
Prototype store testing
• Digital prototype testing
• Experience testing
• Service model tests
• UATs in Prototype store
36
38. Store Architecture
The results were first
manifest in the bold pivot
from a traditional store
layout - typically a
monolithic floor space
filled with bright, shiny
products – in favor of an
innovative pod model,
designed to simulate an
in-home experience.
38
39. Digital Experience
Next, experience
principles helped drive
how to convey complex
ideas. This was
instrumental in designing
all elements of the in-
room digital tablets
(concept, UX and
content), which are used
to orient consumers to
the product by putting
them in control of the
experience.
39
40. Results
Through engaging in
Agile Research as part of
an integrated team, we
were able to deliver
astounding results to
launch a ground-breaking
retail concept.
Store NPS is currently 89
40