Connecting research impact to business outcomes with Devin Harold | Ex-Capital One
Sep 24, 2024
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Devin Harold, a Design Research Leader with over twelve years in UX and former Head of Design Research at Capital One, shares his insights on linking user research to business outcomes. He discusses practical frameworks like the 'two-by-two prioritization' to showcase research value. The conversation also highlights the importance of cross-functional collaboration, evolving researcher roles, and continuous personal growth. Plus, Devin's passion for ancient Egypt adds a fascinating personal touch!
Focusing on high-risk areas with low customer certainty enables teams to uncover critical insights and mitigate potential business risks effectively.
Establishing a connection between research outcomes and business results enhances the strategic importance of research in informing product decisions.
Deep dives
Research's Role in Mitigating Risk
Focusing on high-risk areas with low customer certainty is crucial for effective research initiatives. Research is seen as a tool to build confidence and provide clarity in product development, especially in uncertain environments. By addressing these areas first, teams can not only uncover vital user insights but also significantly reduce potential business risks. This proactive approach ensures that research effectively informs product decisions and aligns them with user needs.
Linking Research to Business Outcomes
Establishing a clear connection between research insights and tangible business results is becoming increasingly important for researchers. Drawing parallels with the marketing field, it's emphasized that similar metrics are needed in user experience research to demonstrate ROI effectively. This includes agreeing on key performance indicators among cross-functional teams before initiating research, which creates a decision-making framework that ties back to business objectives. Such alignment fosters greater influence and illustrates the critical role research plays in driving business success.
The Importance of Effective Communication
Communicating the value of user research to stakeholders requires a strategic approach that resonates with their specific objectives. Researchers should track their contributions and the results of their insights to create compelling narratives that can be shared widely. Sharing quantified success, such as user adoption rates and positive partner feedback, not only highlights the effectiveness of research but also builds credibility. Additionally, being able to express insights in terms of stakeholders' goals fosters collaboration and enhances the overall impact of research within the organization.
Navigating the Evolving Role of Researchers
As the field of research evolves, there's a strong emphasis on the need for researchers to adopt more strategic roles beyond traditional project execution. This includes acting as consultants who not only gather insights but also analyze and translate them into actionable recommendations for business leaders. Embracing a more holistic view of research, where collaboration with various departments becomes integral, is crucial in a landscape where designers are also expected to conduct research. By positioning themselves as essential partners in driving customer-centric strategies, researchers can enhance their influence within organizations.
Devin Harold, former Head of Design Research for Financial Services at Capital One, joins host Ash Oliver to discuss the challenges of connecting user research to business outcomes, how to effectively track and communicate the value of research, and why the future of the industry lies in driving customer-centricity across the entire business.
Discover practical frameworks for prioritizing and presenting research, such as the “two-by-two prioritization” and "what, so what, now what" frameworks. Learn how to involve cross-functional teams and tailor communications to stakeholders to enhance the visibility and influence of your work, and transform UX research into a strategic asset for the business.
About Devin:
Devin Harold is a Design Research Leader with over twelve years of experience in the UX space, starting his career journey first as an interaction designer before shifting into research. He recently worked as Director - Head of Design Research for Financial Services at Capital One, where he led the talented team and research practice to drive business decisions within the $1.4 trillion auto lending industry. Outside of work, Devin is a hobby egyptologist and photographer, and loves to travel the world with his husband, Montgomery.