Building User Research Practices with Nikki Anderson

Hello everyone! Welcome back to "From Founders to Builders".

We're back after the summer break, it's been a bit more than a month.!

Today, I'm thrilled to share an amazing guest episode where I got the chance to sit down with the incredible Nikki Anderson .

Nikki is a renowned user researcher with a decade of experience. She's also a consultant, coach, founder of "User Research Academy" and author of the book "Impact."

I've been following her for some time now and it's one of the voices out there I connect with the most.

Years ago, it was super hard for me to find thought leaders that felt somehow close. Nikki faced similar challenges to me, worked in companies that I knew, in countries where I also lived and worked, so it was an instant match!

Let’s delve into the highlights of our discussion!

The Importance of Understanding Stakeholders

One of the key themes Nikki emphasized during our conversation is the importance of treating stakeholders as users. By doing this, you can better understand their needs, pain points, and how they ingest information. This approach can lead to more fruitful collaborations and successful research outcomes.

Engaging Stakeholders

Nikki shared her experiences of dealing with difficult stakeholders. One strategy she has found valuable is researching stakeholders’ past interactions with user research. By understanding their previous experiences, user researchers can tailor their approach to meet stakeholders’ needs better.

Building a Research Practice

Starting a research practice in a new company can be challenging. Nikki suggested several practical tips for first researchers or solo researchers:

1. Audit Current Processes: Understand the existing processes within the organization and see how user research can be integrated. This helps in making the transition smoother.
2. Start Small and Iterate: Begin with small projects and slowly build up the research practice. This allows for easy adjustments based on feedback and observed challenges.
3. Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Engaging with other departments like marketing, sales, or customer support can expand the impact of user research within the organization.

Overcoming Budget Constraints

Budget is often a significant concern for solo researchers, especially in startups. Nikki’s advice includes talking to peers in similar situations to understand their budget and presenting a range to the company. This way, you are more likely to secure a budget that allows you to effectively conduct your research.

Advancing in Your Career

Nikki highlighted two common challenges faced by solo researchers:

1. Feedback Mechanisms: Use stakeholder satisfaction surveys to gather feedback on your research processes. Also, learn to self-assess by listening to your interviews and identifying areas for improvement.
2. Career Path Development: If you’re tasked with creating your career path, don’t reinvent the wheel. Seek out career frameworks from the community and companies like GitLab to see how others have structured their paths.

The Importance of Legal Compliance

A crucial point Nikki mentioned is to always work closely with your legal team. Especially when dealing with regulations like GDPR, having legal guidance ensures that your research practices are compliant and ethical.

Final Tips for Solo Researchers

To wrap up our discussion, Nikki shared her top three tips for solo researchers:

1. Treat Stakeholders as Users: Understand their needs and how they digest information.
2. Work Cross-Departmentally: Engaging with different departments can broaden the impact of your research.
3. Track Your Impact: Maintain a log of all the impactful moments your research has achieved. This can be invaluable for performance reviews, promotions, or when looking for new opportunities.

Closing Thoughts

Nikki Anderson’s insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the complex world of user research. Her emphasis on stakeholder engagement, flexible processes, and continuous self-improvement offers a clear pathway for researchers to succeed.

Follow Nikki on LinkedIn , take a look at her website User Research Academy or check out her latest book "Impact" .

If you’re attending UXCon in Washington DC this October, you can catch Nikki (and me) there for more exciting discussions.

Check out the full episode here: