Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Summary
Design teams are often faced with lack of research resources that can lead to bottlenecks in execution, an ever growing backlog of research questions or worse releasing products without sufficient research. This can lead to rework and expensive development costs. A rapid research program is a tactical, flexible framework that helps teams build better products by executing on more research faster. This model requires aligning resources to operationalize the process and reduce the overhead and time of standard research processes like recruiting.
Key Insights
-
•
Rapid research is best suited for fast, evaluative research questions that unblock design processes quickly.
-
•
Three main rapid research models exist: short and focused, multi-moderator, and multi-topic, each with unique pros and cons.
-
•
Program success hinges on clear roles, a predictable cadence, and socialization within teams to foster participation.
-
•
Rapid research is not a substitute for deep foundational research but complements it in an integrated UX strategy.
-
•
Stakeholder support usually begins with product and design teams before engaging other executives.
-
•
Documentation and sharing findings openly, even without a dedicated research librarian, are critical for program impact.
-
•
Rapid research programs scale better when supported by dedicated research operations for recruiting and logistics.
-
•
LinkedIn’s rapid research program helped break down silos by uncovering cross-product trends and duplicative questions.
-
•
Effective rapid research programs require iterative improvements in processes, starting with simple 4-step cycles.
-
•
One moderator typically handles a single research cycle covering up to three topics, more requires expansion of resources.
Notable Quotes
"Rapid research is a flexible framework for quickly executing UX research for fast and often tactical or evaluative design decisions."
"If your design team cannot act quickly on findings, rapid research is not the method for you."
"It’s important to socialize the research program internally so teams get excited and take initiative."
"The program creates predictability so teams know when to submit questions and when findings will come."
"Foundational research answers big, nebulous questions; rapid research focuses on specific usability questions."
"At LinkedIn, rapid research uncovered trends across products that helped reduce duplicate work."
"You need clear roles for moderators, note takers, recruiters, and designers in a rapid research program."
"Choosing the right cadence depends on your team’s resources and maturity—some do it every two weeks, others monthly."
"Product and design teams are usually the best initial stakeholders to engage for rapid research programs."
"Documentation and making findings visible even without a dedicated research librarian helps maintain program momentum."
Dig deeper—ask the Rosenbot:
















More Videos

"The Product React uses reaction time to capture the user’s gut feeling that otherwise remains hidden."
Daniela Magaña Flores Ariane Rahn Jeff Ephraim BanderAhead of Competition: Learn What UX Benchmarking Can Do for Your Business Today
March 10, 2022

"Our roles will evolve into beings that imbue meaning into processed information while AI industrializes content creation."
Savina HawkinsHarnessing AI in UXR: Practical Strategies for Positive Impact
March 26, 2024

"The time for debate has passed; we need to act decisively and collaboratively."
Alex Hurworth Bonnie John Fahd Arshad Antoine MarinDesigning a Contact Tracing App for Universal Access
October 23, 2020

"The goal is to transform raw data into wisdom — knowing what to do with the knowledge gathered."
Matt DuignanHITS, Microsoft's internal human insight system: From research library to living body of knowledge (Videoconference)
July 16, 2019

"Under a system which promotes growth at all cost and views engagement of time and data as monetary gain, digital products converge to race to the bottom - Katz from Design Ethically."
Craig VillamorDesign Systems for Ethical Design (Videoconference)
January 26, 2023

"Think of UX as risk mitigation, not a zero-sum game, and share the risk with your stakeholders."
Ovetta SampsonTurning UX Passion into Real Product Influence
June 7, 2023

"To advance design maturity, you need a tight business partnership between product management and design ops leaders."
Rima Campbell Amrit S BhachuIncrease Productivity and Drive Business Impact
September 24, 2024

"We had to negotiate getting Figma behind our single sign-on to ensure security, and it took multiple calls."
Amy Gawronski ZuccaroAdvice for DesignOps Employee #1
September 29, 2021

"Awareness does not necessarily lead to action; it often makes us feel stuck or powerless."
Victor UdoewaBeyond Methods and Diversity: The Roots of Inclusion
March 26, 2024