Democratizing product research | Behzod Sirjani (Reforge, ex-Slack, Facebook)
Jun 23, 2021
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Former Facebook researcher Behzod Sirjani discusses democratizing product research and the role of researchers in organizations, emphasizing collaboration, enabling others with tools, and the shift towards mentorship in user research roles. The podcast explores challenges faced by European product communities, evolving research practices in tech companies, and empowering team members for engaging with the community.
Empowering everyone to engage in UX research leads to better decision-making.
Engaging individuals from various roles in research activities fosters a culture of collaboration.
Moving towards a research-assisted model can democratize research practices and empower diverse team members.
Deep dives
Democratizing UX Research in Organizations
Empowering everyone in an organization to engage in UX research can lead to more effective decision-making and product development. By focusing on areas of highest risk and allowing others to take ownership of less complex tasks, teams can distribute research responsibilities, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Training and Mentoring for Inclusive Research Practices
Engaging individuals from various roles in understanding and conducting research activities can foster a culture of learning and collaboration. Mentorship and training programs can help non-researchers develop skills, such as effective interviewing techniques and synthesis, leading to better insights and decision-making.
Shifting Towards a Research-Assisted Model
Moving towards a research-assisted model where researchers mentor and guide others in conducting research tasks can be beneficial. By providing support, resources, and structured frameworks, organizations can democratize research practices and empower diverse team members to contribute meaningfully to the research process.
Championing Good Design Systems and Trusting Your Team
Prioritizing testing design systems over individual interfaces can lead to more effective results. Trusting the expertise of team members using a vetted design system can reduce the need for excessive usability testing. Emphasizing scalability and quality in systems can enhance overall efficiency.
Embracing Product Discovery and Decision-First Research
There is a prevalent agreement on the importance of being user-centered in product development, yet many organizations struggle to prioritize discovery and user engagement. Shifting from decision-last to decision-first research can optimize gathering necessary evidence. Encouraging a strategic approach to understanding user needs and tailoring research methodologies to specific decision objectives can foster more impactful insights.
I'm thrilled to be hosting Behzod Sirjani, one of the earlier Researchers at Facebook back in 2013, who went on to become Head of Research & Analytics Operations at Slack.
We'll discuss a few topics including
🎖 The role of researchers in an organisation
💪🏽 The growing need for more people to conduct research
🧰 Enabling others in conducting research with the right tools
🤝 Collaborating with Product and other business areas
I'm joined by none other than Roxane Lacotte, my wonderful co-host for the session.
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