Scaling UX Research at Miro | Eduardo Gomez Ruiz (Miro)
Jun 9, 2021
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Meet Eduardo Gomez Ruiz, the first UX Researcher at Miro, discussing the evolution of research practices, challenges in scaling, democratized research, centralizing customer insights, and prioritizing research in product development. Dive into user needs in the digital board sharing context, global customer impact, AI integration, and the evolving role of product managers in discovering biases and collaboration with design.
Creating believers in research value through emotional experiences is crucial for fostering appreciation.
Maintaining communication and structure is essential in scaling research practices to accommodate company growth.
Gradual expansion of design team structure and research capacity requires multifaceted support.
Democratized research approach enhances collaboration and informed decision-making within the team.
Adapting research practices to global customer trends and emerging technologies is key for future UX research success.
Deep dives
The Value of Research and Emotional Moments
Creating believers in the value of research is essential in making people love research. By allowing them to experience emotional moments that demonstrate the value research can bring, such as gaining clarity in decision-making or accelerating progress, individuals start to appreciate the impact of research.
Scaling and Challenges Due to Company Growth
The significant growth of the company, doubling in size within a short period, posed challenges for the product team and research practices. Welcoming new employees weekly led to a need for better communication and added structure to accommodate the growth. The hyper-growth stage required enhanced organization and communication to align efforts.
Evolution of the Design and Product Team Structure
Initially, the design team structure involved reporting to one head of design without specific managers in between. As the team expanded, additional manager levels were introduced, with designers reporting to these managers. Research also scaled gradually, initially with limited capacity, necessitating a multifaceted approach to support various research challenges.
Democratizing Research and Impacting Business Decisions
Embracing a democratized research approach empowered individuals to partake in research activities. By consolidating research insights and knowledge, a standardized report format was created, enhancing efficiency in sharing findings across the company. This approach allowed for more informed decisions and facilitated collaboration within the team.
Future of Research and Business Impact
The future of UX research may involve adapting to diverse global customer customs by localizing experiences. As AI and privacy-first practices gain prominence, research may focus more on building accessible products and adhering to standards. The evolving role of researchers may necessitate specialized skills in areas like accessibility and AI, enhancing business impact and strategic decision-making.
Challenges and Skills in UX Research Evolution
As the demand for UX researchers grows, individuals from various backgrounds may transition into research roles, requiring skill development and adaptation. Specialization within research roles may increase, with dedicated researchers focusing on specific areas like accessibility. The need for understanding business impact and adapting research practices will shape the evolving landscape of user research.
Driving Value Through Research Culture and Tools
Balancing the practical application of research frameworks and tools with an experimental approach can enhance confidence and guidance for researchers. Encouraging individuals to experiment with methods and frameworks while providing guardrails and feedback fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Acknowledging the importance of synchronization with research tools and methods amidst rapid growth can drive effective research practices.
Acknowledgments and Reflections on Progress
Maintaining a research culture, acknowledging the challenges and opportunities in scaling research, and adapting to the evolving landscape of UX and product research are crucial aspects for the continuous development and impact of research practices. Emphasizing collaboration between design and product teams, leveraging specialized skills in research, and integrating diverse perspectives in research endeavors contribute to the future growth and innovation.
Closing Remarks and Gratitude
Acknowledging the impact of research on product development, business decisions, and user experiences, the conversation concludes with reflections on the exciting journey ahead. Expressing gratitude for the insights and collaboration, the discussion highlights the evolving role of researchers and product teams in driving innovation and user-centric solutions. Anticipating future challenges and opportunities in UX research, the dialogue concludes with optimism and encouragement for continuous learning and growth.
We're super excited to be hosting Eduardo who was the very first UX Researcher at Miro and has seen the company evolve over the past year.
Eduardo was hired to establish the mindset and approach to research, research processes, incorporate research tools and create the foundations of user understanding.
In this session, we'll learn more about how he's seen the practice of research evolve over the past year and some of the challenges and aspirations of the product team around customer knowledge.
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