The research phase of the task in the UX project

Each individual project has its own ways of doing research, but in general terms they are similar. The forces of the team are aimed at achieving a satisfying conclusion between the goal and the final result.

Research problem – is a preparatory step in the UX-design, actions are aimed at identifying the problem, analyzing the subject area and the selection of evidence. This step does not involve specific actions or hypothesis analysis. This stage gives an opportunity to designate the most important tasks, to focus on their implementation. This step is also referred to as “product research”.

Rules for effective product research:

Independence from technology, steps.
Absence of a narrow focus.
Carefully conducted experiment, will give the opportunity to establish the needs of the users, satisfying them and the wishes of the customer as accurately as possible.

The results of the research task:

Understand your target audience

Conduct a study of user behavior, this will provide you with an understanding of their expectations and needs. You will understand the specific product that this or that audience needs.
Existing problems and perspectives. Knowing this item will give you an understanding of why they occur, allowing you to better understand consumer problems. Overall vision.
Identify the main goals of the business, the desired results. This approach will help you focus on the problems, and later on the search of variations in their solution. The team needs to know what items to focus on.
The multi-level research process can be traced back to the example of the diamond proposed by the UK Design Council. In the initial stages, the problem is explored in broad terms, and then the process flows into a detailed study of the details and practical testing of ideas.

The research phase is worth engaging when there are many uncertain aspects that interfere with the further work of the team. It is too risky to continue designing, based on unsupported guesses, in this case you can get into a deadlock, suffering losses.

Also, this step is important when there is no definite understanding that everyone is going to the same goal. Depending on the type of goal being pursued, the appropriate steps of analysis are carried out. Possible reasons: exploring a new market to enter the company, the next stage of its development; exploring a new target audience, assessing relevance.

Acquisition or merger. Finding common solutions to issues facing companies. Merger involves combining internal processes and systems.
Company regulations and policies. Relevant to firms subject to constant change and reform.
Analysis includes: study of target audience, regulations, evaluation of meaningful changes in financial operations.

Organizational strategies. Example: providing a single platform for different departments of a firm dealing with the resolution of similar tasks.

Chronic organizational problems. For example, identify the cause of a company’s low sales in a particular season. It’s not uncommon for businesses to take a superficial approach to leveling problems (adding chatbots) without understanding the problem in a deeper and more extensive way. For a productive result, it is necessary to investigate the internal and external causes of this or that outcome of events. Many steps go into the process of studying a particular problem. Let us consider a number of the most frequently applicable ones.

Searching

Obtaining new necessary information in a designated area. Most often referred to as exploratory or generative analysis. During this point, new ideas are identified, an understanding of the field of admissible possibilities. Testing available ways to close the gap, testing the hypothesis in practice. The search stages include: diary and field work with a group of consumers, interviews with the user. Surveys and questionnaires are also used to gather information.

Stakeholder surveys

Interaction with key decision makers in the company provides an opportunity to understand the scope of the goal, options for resolution.

What points can be identified after interviews with key persons: Information and instaits about users’ problems, understanding how to solve their problems (whether the overall goals are the same as the project’s goals). The main business goals of the company or individuals. Previous decisions made. Whether they are a practical success, functioning productively.

Workshops

Useful at the process analysis stage, bring teams together. Occur in the initial stages, aiming to identify timeframes to achieve the goal. Customer or authorized officials take active part in this stage. Roles and job responsibilities are agreed upon. Data collection takes place with the participation of experts, evaluation of factors and concerns. Risk points in achieving results are considered.

Research question formulation workshops.

This point is similar to the previous one (creating sentence maps), they often go in parallel with each other. Sketch unknown parameters and study them in detail. Interviewing users, diary work, studying the context (similarity maps, affinity diagrams). Drawing a proximity diagram from the assumptions placed on the stickers, to identify the main tasks and ways to solve them.

Visualization of the service

As a consequence of the conducted surveys and analysis, the team brings insights into the overall service map. This provides an opportunity to effectively identify gaps and fill them. Problem Solving. Conclusion of the main task in the form of a simple conclusion, on the basis of which the further work will be built.

Participants

In multidisciplinary organizations, activities are done more effectively. Members organically devote personal attention to collaborative activities on a project, the number of which varies based on the scope of the prospect.

Key Roles:

The person in charge of the research activity. The person who plans and conducts user testing (UX/UI designers).
Leader, team coordinator. Ensures productive communication between participants, conducts workshops, coordinated task analysis steps.
Owner, sponsor. Customer of the project, usually has the necessary experience and connections to useful people.
Technical specialist. A professional who understands the technical aspects.
The above roles are considered basic, but often in addition to them there are many additional names of specialists, depending on the complexity of the project.

Results

After a number of studies, interviews, the team develops a clear understanding of what to do in the future with the task. With negative results, it is possible to abandon the idea altogether, as there is a high probability of failure. The team should pay attention to the following points when formulating conclusions:

• The final formulation (a reasoned and fact-supported position).
• A map of the user’s journey.
• The design of the service.
• User personas.
• Validated user needs.
• Warframes, concepts.