The 3 Pillars of Continuous UX Research

RESEARCH

Jan 29

Written By Jeff Humble

Turn any research method into a continuous discovery habit

Reading time: 6 minutes

3 pillars of continuous ux research methods product discovery

If you’ve struggled to find time for traditional UX research methods, this post is for you.

Design improves when research is involved, but UX research takes time. Few companies realize that UX research can be as continuous as engineering. All it takes is a little re-frame. I use the 3 pillars to help researchers push their methodology to be continuous.

To do Continuous UX Research, you need research methods that can fit in short sprints that can be done fast to keep up with the reality of product work.

But not all research methods can fit the short sprints required by product leadership. Home visits, diary studies, and field studies take too long for the weekly deliverables of Agile. These methods are better suited for the monthly, long-horizon R&D research of traditional UX research.

Do you want to be more continuous? Use these three checks to determine if you can turn a traditional UX research method into a continuous research method:

Is it quick?
Continuous research methods should only take a few hours to conduct. That means you don’t have time for home visits, lab studies, or co-creation sessions. You want to stroll into the activity without prep or effort.
If the method isn’t quick, see if automation tools like Zapier or research platforms like Dovetail or AirtimeUX can automate time-consuming aspects like data collection and formatting. You can also ask a UX research specialist to help you simplify the method for weekly, non-researcher use.
The Test: Can you run this method every week without burning out?
Is it collaborative?
Continuous research is supposed to be conducted by the team that will eventually build the results of the findings. Ensure that your methods include both engineers and product managers...not just product designers and researchers.
If the method isn’t collaborative, try running the method during a timeboxed meeting or ask a workshop specialist to help you transform the research method into a group activity.
The Test: Can you run this method with your entire team, even the developers?
Bonus: If your team is present for the method, you don't have to waste time bringing them up to speed or presenting the results.
Is it accessible?
Continuous research and its data should be easily findable, joinable, and searchable in your company wiki. Every research activity you conduct should be open to any stakeholder, and make sure you share the results with everyone...even people outside of your team. If you’re conducting research in secret or hiding away the resulting data, you will create research siloes, and siloes slow down agile teams.
If your research methods and results aren’t accessible, start uploading the schedule and findings to the company wiki or try Notion if no wiki exists.
The Test: Can your colleagues join the research activity or access the data without your help?