ARTICLE SUMMARY: We strive to know our users, what they want and need all in an effort to give them the best user experience possible. It is a challenging task.
Effective UX research is often more about the mindset, methodology, and ability to interpret user needs rather than the tools used. While it’s nice to have the latest and greatest tools they constantly change. After a while all those convoluted processes for collecting and analyzing feedback end up becoming a burden to maintain, cost money in licenses, and are difficult to teach to new hires. Ed Orozco thinks old school is better.
“Strategic UX research doesn’t need fancy tools” by Ed Orozco delves into what he feels is a better way to find out what your target audience is really looking for and needs. His suggestions include
- A simple system for continuous, quality learning
- Make it recurring
- Keep a lean database
Talking to real users is one of the most direct ways to gather insights. To create a human connection conduct informal interviews over video calls, in person, or even through phone conversations. There is nothing more reliable than getting your information straight from the horses mouth,
Your paying customers have the highest interest in you building a great product that solves their problem. They are literally paying you to do that. Your role is to understand what they are going through from a position of empathy. While their feedback may be brutally honest it gives you the opportunity to act on reliable information.
By focusing on user needs, human behavior, and observation, you can gather high-quality insights and create strong, user-centered designs without the need for advanced tools. The real key to successful UX research is consistency in asking the right questions and properly interpreting the data you collect.
This is an article well worth reading and a great resource to have in your tool box.
Let us know what you think in the comments.
