UX Research Repository

Role: Sr. UI/UX Designer & Researcher

Project Length: 1 month

Programs: Lucidchart, Jira

overview

Repositories can be critical to harnessing the insights gathered from UX research.

Especially when you are gathering feedback through multiple channels across different Products. Lack of documentation can lead to a perfect storm: wasted time, frustrated Stakeholders, and unharnessed UX Gold waiting to be found.

goal

  • Ability to submit and track Observations gathered in day-to-day research.

  • A form that allows internal employees to submit any UX Observations they encounter from our users using a consistent format.

  • A way to group Observations (once a pattern is found) into actionable Insights.

  • Once Insights are found, there needs to be a cadence to either validate or invalidate them.

process

Compare Solutions

I started by comparing available solutions that the organization already had access to. Each had there pro’s and con’s, but ultimately Jira stood out as the best candidate.

 

Construct the Flow

Using Lucidchart, I began mapping out the journey from Observation to Insight. There were two primary users to consider while constructing this flow; employees and designers.

There was also a distinction to make between Observations and Insights; specifically regarding the evolution from one to the other. In order for an Observation to become a meaningful Insight, there needs to be a documented behavioral or attitudinal pattern.

This process enables the entire Product team (or the entire organization) to capture, validate, and implement UX improvements in a streamlined cadence.

solution

A Kanban Board connected to a standardized intake form where employees can submit Observations from their daily interactions with users.

Designers are able to submit/document both Observations and Insights.

Once a pattern emerges an actionable Insight is formed. The assigned Designer then validates or invalidates the Insight using research + testing.

impact

The positive impacts of the UX Repository go beyond increased transparency into our user’s goals, wants, and needs. The benefits are:

  • Increased UX Maturity of an organization by elevating the voice of the user.

  • Decreased “ double-work” by maintaining a current centralized hub.

  • Increased “buy-in” on Stakeholders by removing the veil on Research Insights benefits.

  • The ability to look back at past research that may become relevant once again.