User research in an agile environment
User research is essential for creating successful products and services. It uncovers valuable insights and validates assumptions, driving user satisfaction and business goals. However, integrating user research into the product life cycle poses a challenge.
In a traditional approach, user research is typically done at the beginning of a project. This can create difficulties when trying to make changes based on user feedback later on. The team may have already invested a lot of time and resources in a specific direction, making it challenging to make significant changes based on what they learn from users (see Klein, 2016).
This article explores the importance of agile user research and its transformative procedure in product development.
Difference between user research in the traditional and agile environment
User research is a way of learning about what people like and need when using a product or service. In a traditional environment, user research often happens before the product or service is fully built. Researchers take their time to understand what users want and test different ideas to see if they work well.
But in an agile environment, things are a little different. Agile means working on a project in small steps, called sprints, and making changes along the way. User research in an agile environment happens during these sprints. Researchers work closely with the people creating the product or service, like designers and developers and get feedback from users as the project progresses (see Gothelf & Seiden, 2013).
This way, in an agile environment, user research is done quickly and more frequently. It helps the team understand what’s working and what needs improvement, so they can make changes right away. It’s like having a lot of little checkpoints along the way, where the team can learn and adjust their plans as they go.
In brief, user research in a traditional environment happens before everything is finished, while in an agile environment, it happens throughout the process, making it easier to make changes and create a better product or service.
Step-by-step guide
The agile user research journey encompasses three main phases, as shown in the figure, starting from requesting research and concluding with a playback session. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help both researchers and stakeholders navigate each phase and get the most out of user research in an agile environment.
Phase 1: Initiating agile user research
After the project team submits a research request, they fill out a research brief. The research team then reviews the brief and schedules a call with the project team to discuss project details and define the research approach.
If the management team approves, the research moves forward. Otherwise, it is put on hold in the backlog for future consideration. Any necessary adjustments or refinements to the research brief can be made during this stage.
Phase 2: Maximising success with considerations and stimuli
Once the research officially begins, the project team provides a list of factors to consider and creates stimuli. The research team then schedules a call to confirm the research methods and materials, ensuring readiness for the experiment.
Since most agile research is unmoderated, it becomes crucial to have a list of considerations in place, anticipating multiple interpretations from the participants.
Phase 3: Closing the loop
When all preparations are complete, the research team proceeds to set up the online study. Before launching it, stakeholders have an opportunity to review and suggest any necessary changes. Subsequently, the research team conducts the study and collects data for analysis.
Afterwards, the team analyses the data and compiles a comprehensive report. Finally, a playback session is organised to present the results, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions and seek clarification.
Takeaways
- Agile user research offers a transformative approach to product development, allowing for continuous feedback and iterative improvements.
- Unlike traditional research methods often conducted at the beginning, agile research integrates user insights throughout the process. This enables quicker adjustments and the creation of better products and services.
- The step-by-step guide presented provides researchers and stakeholders with a roadmap to navigate the agile user research journey. By following this guide, teams can leverage frequent feedback loops, make timely adjustments and enhance the overall user experience, resulting in successful and user-centred product outcomes.
References
Gothelf, J & Seiden, J. 2013. Lean UX: Applying lean principles to improve user experience. Sebastopol, California: O’Reilly.
Klein, L. 2016. UX for lean startups: Faster, smarter user experience research and design. Sebastopol, California: O’Reilly.
