How do you combine UX research with agile and lean?

1 Adopt a dual-track approach

One way to combine UX research with agile and lean is to adopt a dual-track approach, where you have two parallel streams of work: discovery and delivery. Discovery is where you conduct UX research to understand the problem, the users, and the opportunities. Delivery is where you build and test solutions based on your research insights. By having these two tracks running simultaneously, you can ensure that your product development is informed by user needs and validated by user feedback, while also delivering value and iterating quickly.

2 Plan and prioritize your research

Another way to combine UX research with agile and lean is to plan and prioritize your research activities based on the goals, questions, and assumptions of each sprint or iteration. You don't have to do all the research upfront, but you should have a clear idea of what you want to learn, why, and how. You should also prioritize your research based on the impact, urgency, and feasibility of the questions you want to answer. By planning and prioritizing your research, you can align it with the agile and lean principles of delivering value, reducing waste, and responding to change.

3 Use lean UX research methods

A third way to combine UX research with agile and lean is to use lean UX research methods, which are techniques that help you gather user feedback and insights quickly, without sacrificing rigor or quality. For example, user interviews are a qualitative method that allow you to understand user needs, goals, pain points, and behaviors. Surveys are a quantitative method that allow you to collect data on user preferences, opinions, or satisfaction. Usability testing is a method where you observe users as they interact with your product or prototype. Card sorting is a method where you ask users to organize items into categories. A/B testing is a method where you compare two versions of a product or feature to see which performs better on a specific metric.

4 Collaborate with your team and stakeholders

Collaboration is key when combining UX research with agile and lean, as it helps ensure alignment with business objectives, user needs, and technical constraints. It also allows you to share your research findings and get feedback from your team and stakeholders. To collaborate effectively, co-create the research plan and goals with your team and stakeholders, invite them to observe or participate in research sessions, communicate results in a clear and actionable way, and incorporate insights into product backlogs or design decisions. By following these tips and best practices, you can create user-centric, valuable, and adaptable products and services.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?