Developing a research plan involves outlining the strategies and methodologies to be used in gathering data and insights about users. This plan serves as a roadmap for conducting systematic research to inform product development decisions.
Goal
The goal of developing a research plan is to ensure that the research efforts are focused, efficient, and aligned with the product objectives. It aims to identify clear research questions, select appropriate methods, and allocate resources effectively to gain meaningful insights.
Context
A research plan ensures clarity, focus, and efficient execution. There are different levels of complexity that we can use in our research. In Stream Teams we need to focus on getting a signal as to whether we are heading in the right direction, rather than absolute proof. Therefore we need to focus on quick turnaround and low cost.
Plan Types
| Type | Description | Methods | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|
| Guerrilla Research | Quick, informal research conducted in public spaces or online to gather immediate user feedback. | - Short surveys
- Brief interviews
- Quick observations
| Cost-effective, fast, provides early-stage insights. | - May lack depth and representativeness
- Informal
|
| Rapid User Research | Quick, structured research with planned sessions for more in-depth user feedback. | - Usability testing
- In-depth interviews
| Balances speed with need for detailed insights, allows for quick adjustments. | - Requires more planning and resources than guerrilla research
- still faster than traditional methods
|
Other Plan Types
| Type | Description | Methods | ZeroBlockers Opinion |
|---|
| Formal Research Methods | Formal and structured research methods, often used in academic settings or large-scale projects. | - Surveys
- Laboratory experiments
- Longitudinal studies
| These types of studies are useful but more so in centralised functions rather than in Stream Teams as Stream Teams need to move quickly and with low cost. |
| Academic Research | Highly rigorous and detailed research, following strict methodologies to ensure validity and reliability. | - Peer-reviewed studies
- Systematic reviews
- Meta-analyses
| Again these are too slow for Stream Teams. The goal of research is to provide a signal and not statistically significant results. |
Research Method Types
| Type | Description | Methods | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|
| Primary Research | Collection of new data firsthand to answer specific research questions or test hypotheses. | - Surveys
- Interviews
- Usability testing
- Observations
- Experiments.
| - Provides direct, specific insights
- Can be tailored to exact needs of the project
| - Can be time-consuming and costly
- Requires careful planning and execution
|
| Secondary Research | Analysis of existing data collected by others, including academic papers, industry reports, and market analysis. | - Literature reviews
- Industry reports
- Product usage data
- Competitor analysis
| - Cost-effective, quick to conduct
- Provides broad understanding of subject area
| - May not be tailored to specific project needs
- Quality and relevance of data can vary
|
| Artifact | Description |
|---|
| Research Objectives | Clear and focused goals for the research effort. |
| Jobs to be Done (JTBD) | A list of job stories that represent the core tasks, emotional needs, and social roles that users seek to fulfill. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|
| Research Plan | A detailed document outlining the research objectives, methodologies, timeline, and resources. | Guides the research process, ensuring alignment with product goals. |
Anti-patterns
- Lack of Clear Objectives: Initiating research without well-defined goals, leading to unfocused efforts and unclear outcomes.
- Over-Planning: Spending excessive time on planning without moving into action, resulting in delays in gaining insights.
- Underestimating Resources: Failing to allocate adequate time, budget, and personnel for research, compromising the quality and depth of insights.
- Choosing methods based on convenience, not suitability: Selecting research methods based on ease of execution rather than their effectiveness in addressing the research questions.