?? Building Feedback Loops

?? Articles of the Week.

When scope creep and difficult clients turn spooky, this may help. Navigating scope creep and challenging clients can be daunting in UX consultancy work. To mitigate these issues, establish clear boundaries and minimize risks by asking key questions, understanding project requirements, documenting expectations in a detailed proposal, and addressing scope changes with change orders. Effective communication, proactive problem-solving, and knowing when to walk away are vital for successful consultancy projects. Nikki Anderson-Stanier 07/06

What does “rigorous” research really mean? Maintaining research rigor in UX involves accurately interpreting findings and educating stakeholders. This includes drawing conclusions conservatively, acknowledging limitations, considering alternative explanations, and challenging one's own interpretations. Advocating for specific interpretations and being open to being wrong are crucial for making impactful decisions based on research. Chris Liu 07/12

To get better customer data, build feedback loops into your products. Creating data feedback loops is now feasible for most products and services with the help of AI and machine learning. By redesigning products to generate natural data signals, integrating with other products, asking for user feedback, or involving humans in the loop, companies can enhance data feedback loops and create sustainable competitive advantages based on continuous learning and improvement. Andrei Hagiu & Julian Wright 07/11

How to build a strong UX research portfolio. Crafting a strong UX research portfolio is crucial for showcasing expertise and securing engaging work opportunities. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights on what a UX research portfolio should include, such as impactful case studies, process methodology, research deliverables, key outcomes, and personal connections, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and demonstrating the ability to influence change within organizations. John Bellio 07/06

What’s with UX research layoffs? Resistance to UX research and the perception of it as a luxury rather than a necessity have led to layoffs, particularly affecting women and minorities in the field. To build resilience in UX research, visibility and sharing of work, visual communication, and using a common language are essential. Researchers must continue to advocate for their value and consider alternative paths, such as starting their own agency, to ensure their work is impactful and valued. Jacqualyn Heth 07/12

Deepfake personas in UX. Deepfake personas, created using deep learning algorithms, have the potential to enhance user engagement in UX research. However, a study found that users perceive them less favorably due to the uncanny valley effect. Future advancements may overcome these challenges. Maria Panagiotidi 07/06

How to highlight UX research and gaps in knowledge by storytelling with timelines. Visualizing the timeline and using specific icons and tags can help highlight important points and decision-making stages in user research. By visualizing the gaps in knowledge, teams can better understand the value and reasoning behind user research, making it easier to gain approval and support for the research process. Kai Wong 07/12

?? Video of the Week.

UX Reviews: how to run them. Hear from Marcelo Henrique, all about how UX Reviews and how to best run one. Learn the ups and downs, the meaning and processes. YouTube 07/06

?? Audio of the Week.

Stakeholder relationships (feat. Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g)Developing strong stakeholder relationships is essential for obtaining buy-in, aligning expectations, and fostering trust in UX research. In this episode, Samhita Tankala and Sarah Gibbons delve into the complexities of stakeholder management, highlighting the challenges involved and providing insights on cultivating successful relationships. Spotify Apple 07/07

Happy Researching,

?? Jan