?? How Research Ops can make or break critical partnerships

?? I'm over the moon to share that my fiancé and I are expecting a baby girl this July! If you have any must-reads on parenting, I'm all ears. So far, I've read "Expecting Better", "Cribsheet" and "The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read," and I have found them incredibly insightful.

?? In this week's newsletter, I spoke with Lea Tvrdojevi?, who shared insights on the importance of asking questions fearlessly and creating comfortable research environments. Plus, I've enjoyed reading thought-provoking articles, like Julie Norvaisas challenging the status quo in UXR, and Christopher K Wong offering tips on balancing current and future user needs. Dive into Melissa Hack's exploration of ResearchOps and its impact on team dynamics, along with other content.

Happy Researching, Jan ??

?? Humans of User Research with Lea Tvrdojevi?

Hi Lea, tell us a little about yourself! Hey there! I’m Lea, originally from Croatia and currently residing in Ireland. My academic background in sociology sparked my interest in understanding and exploring how emerging technologies, especially AI, influence human behavior and experiences. This has led me to UX research, where I find joy in discovering new products and development opportunities, as well as strategies to enhance user experiences.

What's a valuable lesson you've learned during your journey in research? The importance of not being afraid to ask questions: It's crucial to acknowledge that we cannot be experts in everything. When diving into new projects or topics, it's perfectly acceptable to admit what we don't know or understand. Embrace the learning journey by allowing yourself the space to ask questions freely, regardless of how 'obvious' they may seem. Don't hesitate to seek clarification, even if it means asking the same question repeatedly!

Describe your ideal user testing environment – real or fictional In my ideal user testing environment, I could craft a space where participants feel comfortable and at home. Imagine stepping into a cozy living room setup, with couches, plants and warm lighting. Here, users would feel at ease, as if they're in the comfort of their own homes, which encourages them to engage with the product in a way that feels natural. This way, we ensure unbiased observations, unlocking user behaviors free of artificial influences.

What would you like to talk about with other researchers and how can they find you? I'm passionate about discussing research processes, methodologies, and emerging trends with fellow UX Researchers. You can easily connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m open to collaboration, sharing knowledge, and exchanging opinions ??

Thank you, Lea!

?? Articles of the Week.

UXR is having an identity crisis. Let's flip the script together. Julie Norvaisas asked survey respondents to describe artwork depicting the current state of UXR. The picture they painted was telling. Julie Norvaisas 04/24

How to avoid designing for current users at the expense of future ones. Three tips for balancing current and future user needs. Christopher K Wong 04/24

How Research Ops can make or break critical partnerships. Explore how ResearchOps boosts team performance and relationships. Learn key strategies for efficient workflows and stakeholder support in UX research. Melissa Hack 04/23

User research methods series: The Microsoft Reaction Card Method. Microsoft Product Reaction Cards can help researchers quickly understand people's gut reactions to products, designs or concepts in an objective and reliable way. Tom Devlin 04/22

Designing for Humans: Why UX needs more than just Data and Research Methods. We research, design and optimize for our users, but are we truly designing for humans or merely optmizing for surface-level usability?. Michelle Hausen 04/20

The Current State of Research. Explore the aftermath of layoffs in research and the call for strategic changes. Avoid generalizations and tailor solutions to your context for effective adaptation to industry challenges. Tom RS 04/19

What is user satisfaction? Definition, metrics and best practices. Learn how user satisfaction impacts business success and how to measure and improve it effectively. Utilize methods like surveys and metrics monitoring to enhance user experience and foster long-term customer relationships. Trymata 04/24

Why leveling up is crucial as a user researcher. Discover the importance of integrating recommendations into research reporting for impactful outcomes. Elevate your role by driving decisions, fostering collaboration, and maximizing the impact of your research. 04/24

?? Video of the Week.

Tech Bytes | UX Research and AI with Jessa Anderson. Discover integrating UX research with AI for a better human experience. Learn about setting expectations, guiding interactions, and ensuring transparency. YouTube 03/27

?? Audio of the Week.

A guide to being a UX research manager (ft. Janelle Ward). Janelle Ward led UX/user research at digital product companies, both as a founding lead and as a manager upskilling and growing existing research teams. She discusses being a UX research manager. Spotify Apple 04/22

?? UserCalendar: Events Next Week.

Continuous discovery: Are you building products that truly meet your customers’ needs? (Free). April 30 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 am EDT Learn about continuous discovery's implementation in various organizational contexts, gaining expert insights, practical perspectives, and engaging in interactive Q&A. Learn more

Connecting Research to Revenue. April 30 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT Learn to leverage user insights for revenue impact, exploring strategies like data triangulation and team structuring in this live podcast episode. Learn more

How to build a self-serve research knowledge repository. May 1 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT Learn to build a scalable knowledge repository for impactful insights, overcoming obstacles, creating a taxonomy, mapping stakeholders, and measuring ROI. Learn more

?? Discover more events on UserCalendar.com