@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ We’d love to collaborate with you, gather your perspective, and partner with y
-**Ensure Your Customers Are Represented in UX Research**: You can nominate customers as research participants by sharing their details in the #ux_reops channel or direct your customers to [the UX Research Panel](https://research.rallyuxr.com/gitlab/lp/csmsignup?channel=app) to register their interest.
-**Share what you know through GitLab User Insight Repository**: Share what you learn about your customers in the #ux_research channel, or connect with a designated UX researcher for specific stages or themes.
-**Identify Areas for Improvement That Need Further Research (unknown)**: If you notice areas that could benefit from deeper exploration, feel free to mention it in the #ux_research channel or contact [the UX researcher for the relevant stage or theme](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-ux-researchers-are-assigned). Providing a related issue for reference would be a bonus!
-**Identify Areas for Improvement That Need Further Research (unknown)**: If you notice areas that could benefit from deeper exploration, feel free to mention it in the #ux_research channel or contact [the UX researcher for the relevant stage or theme](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-team-members-are-assigned). Providing a related issue for reference would be a bonus!
-**Leverage UX Research Insights to Guide Your Work**: Stay updated by checking out the #ux_research_reports channel for the latest insights. You can also explore [Dovetail](https://gitlab.dovetail.com/start/), our research insights management tool, to search by keywords or watch interview session recordings. You can also consult with [the UX researcher for the relevant stage or theme](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/), to be more informed when making design, product or customer engagement decisions.
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ UX research workshops are useful because they offer UX Researchers a way to coll
## Getting started
This handbook page covers the main steps involved to conduct a UX research workshop. If you have any questions about this process, please contact your [UX Researcher](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-ux-researchers-are-assigned). They can assist with setting up and/or leading a UX research workshop for your team.
This handbook page covers the main steps involved to conduct a UX research workshop. If you have any questions about this process, please contact your [UX Researcher](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-team-members-are-assigned). They can assist with setting up and/or leading a UX research workshop for your team.
The UX research team is comprised of [UX Research Operations Coordinators](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research-coordination/) and [UX Researchers](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/)).
The UX research team is comprised of [UX Researchers](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/), Service Designers and [UX Research Operations Coordinators](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research-coordination/)).
- UX Research Operations Coordinators own the participant recruitment process and all things related to research operations.
- UX Researchers work within their assigned stage groups, where they conduct UX research on their own and consult on research efforts being done by their teams.
- Service Designers work across stages and groups, where they conduct user research and design to improve the end to end user journeys across GitLab.
- UX Research Operations Coordinators own the participant recruitment process and all things related to research operations.
### UX Researcher working models
To maximize research output and growth opportunities, we have established two working models that UX Researchers can choose to work within.
#### Single UX Researcher support working model
This model has a single UX Researcher working on a given UX research project and/or stage. Most likely, the UX Researcher is the assigned UX Researcher for the stage or stage group the UX research project is associated with.
#### Collaborative UX Researcher working model
This model is defined as having two UX Researchers working together on a single UX research project and/or stage. Most likely, both UX Researchers are assigned to the stage or stage group the UX research project is associated with. Having two UX Researchers collaborating together on a single UX research project and/or stage enables both of them to collectively build domain specific knowledge about the space, so the product stage can benefit from different perspectives on a given research topic. It also provides opportunities for the UX Researchers to mentor and be mentored by their partner, avoid silos and mitigate the risk of single point of failure.
Applying this model at scale means we can systematically explore rotation options to facilitate individual growth of the UX Researchers, and enable all UX Researchers to learn more areas across the product so as to identify more cross-stage research opportunities.
Note that additional time and planning may be required with this model due to the increased collaboration.
### Our working model
#### UX Researcher pairing
We employ a hybrid matrix structure where Heads of UX Research each oversee several product domains and support 5-7 UX Researchers and Service Designers owning the research for various stages within the product domains.
UX Researchers, no matter which working model they adopt, can participate in [UX Resaercher pairing](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/ux-researcher-pairings/), where they pair up with another UX Researcher so they can provide and receive feedback from each other. This is an opt-in offering and the UX Researchers can self organise.
The Heads of Research oversee research vision and strategy of the product domains and coordinate cross-functional efforts, while providing mentorship and removing obstacles for their teams. UX Researchers and Service Designers drive both strategic thinking and tactical execution within their product areas.
UX Research pairings gives UX Researchers a consistent partner to share ideas with on research approaches, addressing challenges, reviewing test plans and reports, and gaining experience in delivering feedback. It also gives UX Researchers exposure to product areas outside of their own.
This balanced approach enables deep domain expertise alongside clear accountability, fostering innovation through specialized knowledge and collaborative coordination across our connected product domains.
### How UX Researchers are assigned
#### Teammate pairing
Each UX Researcher is assigned to multiple, related stage groups, so they can focus on a larger product area. They work closely with Product Managers and Product Designers to ensure research projects are focused and provide answers to design questions. You can find more information on these stage groups [here](/handbook/product/categories/#devops-stages).
Team members, no matter UX Researcher or Service Designer, can participate in [Teammate pairing](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/ux-researcher-pairings/), where they pair up with another teammate so they can provide and receive feedback from each other. This is an opt-in offering and the team members can self organise.
The assigned UX Researchers are the go-to person for their assigned [stage groups](/handbook/product/categories/) for collaboration in projects and subjects:
Teammate pairings gives the team member a consistent partner to share ideas with on research and service design approaches, addressing challenges, reviewing test plans, reports and designs, and gaining experience in delivering feedback. It also gives team members exposure to product areas outside of their own.
| Section: Stage Groups | Assigned UX Researchers |
|---------|-------------------------------|
| **Systems**: Distribution, Geo, Cloud Connector <br>**Data Stores**: Global Search, Tenant Scale, Database <br>**SaaS Platforms**: GitLab Dedicated, US Public Sector Services, Delivery <br>**Deploy**: Environments <br>**Monitor**: Observability | [Will Leidheiser](https://gitlab.com/wleidheiser) |
1. We collaborate with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to collectively determine what areas to conduct research on. The UX Research department works within the [Product Development Flow](/handbook/product-development-flow/#overview--philosophy) as they partner with Product Management and Product Design. Additional details can be found [here](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/) on how UX Reseachers prioritize research projects.
1. We follow a [priortization process](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/) that helps us distribute our time effectively across the research projects occurring within our stage groups.
1. Like other departments at GitLab, UX Researchers follow the [Product Development Timeline](/handbook/engineering/workflow/#product-development-timeline) and use milestones to schedule their work. Milestones change monthly ([find out the dates for upcoming milestones](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/milestones)).
Note that UX Researchers adopting the Collaborative UX Research working model can operate in a number of ways. The UX Researchers who are working in this model will work closely with each other and with the stakeholders in the product stage to determine the most suitable way to operate, particularly on who the go-to person should be, and for what, and how to initiate, respond to, and work on research projects. The flexibility here is intentional since teams often work differently with unique goals.
### Who we work with
## How UX Researchers decide what to research
We collaborate with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to collectively determine what areas to conduct research on. The UX Research team works within the [Product Development Flow](/handbook/product-development-flow/#overview--philosophy) as they partner with Product Management and Product Design.
UX Researchers collaborate with Product Managers to determine the scope of research studies. Where possible, UX Researchers should try to attend planning meetings for their designated groups.
UX Researchers should proactively offer ways in which they can assist in the delivery of research. They should also suggest and discuss their own ideas for research studies with Product Managers.
Read more on [how UX Research prioritize our works](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization).
### What we work on
Like other departments at GitLab, we follow the [Product Development Timeline](/handbook/engineering/workflow/#product-development-timeline) and use milestones to schedule their work. Milestones change monthly ([find out the dates for upcoming milestones](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/milestones)).
We follow a [priortization process](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/) that helps us distribute our time effectively across the research projects occurring within our stage groups.
## How UX Researchers spend their time
#### How we spend our time
UX Researchers have the following guidance on how they should be spending their time:
@@ -95,7 +73,7 @@ Four noteworthy benefits to conducting Foundational research:
1. Career growth opportunities
1. The business benefits by gaining more knowledge/data in an specific area
## How UX Researcher conduct peer reviews
### How we uphold the quality of our work
UX Researchers will frequently drive research projects themselves in close collaboration with Product and/or Design. When this occurs, UX Researchers will take part in a peer review process on the following research artifacts:
@@ -136,7 +114,9 @@ When reviewing suggestions from peers asynchronously, it's a best practice to pr
Ultimately, it's up to the owner of the document to decide which suggestions they'd like to apply.
## How UX Researchers socialize upcoming research projects
### How we socialise our works
#### Socialising pcoming works
To raise awareness and provide transparency on the research projects that we drive, we need to put some additional effort into getting the word out. Note that this announcement isn't intended to serve as a call for feedback; it's purpose is to inform team members of upcoming research. The most effective way to do that is as follows:
@@ -147,7 +127,7 @@ To raise awareness and provide transparency on the research projects that we dri
- Optional: if you would like to use this post as a way to invite attendees to your research sessions, you can certainly do that. An example on how to do that: '*If you are interested in attending sessions live, please reply to this thread. Otherwise, I'll post recordings to this Dovetail project [insert link], where you can watch on your own time.'*
- The posting is shared out via Slack to *at least* the three following channels: #ux, #ux_research, and #product. It's advised to also share the posting in any relevant stage-group channels, too.
## How UX Researchers socialize research findings
#### Socialising research findings
When we drive our own research projects, it means we're also responsible for socializing those insights. The most effective way to do that is as follows:
@@ -157,11 +137,7 @@ When we drive our own research projects, it means we're also responsible for soc
- A 'Next steps' sections that includes bullets on what will be happening as a result of the research. These should be links to issues that are actionable insights.
- The posting is shared out via Slack to *at least* the four following channels: #ux, #ux_research, #ux_research_reports and #product. It's advised to also share the posting in any relevant stage-group channels, too.
## How the UX Research team handles scheduling Paid Time Off (PTO)
### How we maintain coverage
Since the UX Research team works so closely with their stage groups and participants, it's important to have a plan in place when we're on PTO to keep research projects moving along - even when we're taking time off. Such an approach allows us to support each other, as a team. The following steps outline the process the UX Research team follows, regarding PTO:
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The guidelines on this page aim to provide direction on how to include the user'
## UX Researcher support
**If you have an assigned UX Researcher in your stage:** If you need UX Research support, connect with your [assigned stage UX Researcher](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-ux-researchers-are-assigned) following the [research prioritization process](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/#how-to-handle-newly-identified-research-projects). Your AI-specific research topic will be prioritized against the other research projects already identified within their stage.
**If you have an assigned UX Researcher in your stage:** If you need UX Research support, connect with your [assigned stage UX Researcher](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-team-members-are-assigned) following the [research prioritization process](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/#how-to-handle-newly-identified-research-projects). Your AI-specific research topic will be prioritized against the other research projects already identified within their stage.
**If you DON'T have an assigned UX Researcher in your stage:** For those working in a stage group that doesn't have a UX Researcher assigned, Nick Hertz is managing those research requests. The [research prioritization process](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/research-prioritization/#how-to-handle-newly-identified-research-projects) still applies and you can add your topic to this [AI research-specific prioritization calculator](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16iLvrY-saOJsSxFkjVYEu_Db_02caTsQLqzZ59SwFgs/edit#gid=1093756030) after you have opened a research issue.
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ Though the UX Researchers are not the only ones who conduct user research in Git
## Who is responsible for research project prioritization?
UX Researchers at GitLab work on multiple stage groups and often across stages. The UX Researchers provide a point of view on prioritization of the areas they support (see [who's supporting which areas](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-ux-researchers-are-assigned)). Ultimately, Group Product Managers or Directors of Product make the final decisions on research project prioritization.
UX Researchers at GitLab work on multiple stage groups and often across stages. The UX Researchers provide a point of view on prioritization of the areas they support (see [who's supporting which areas](/handbook/product/ux/ux-research/how-uxr-team-operates/#how-team-members-are-assigned)). Ultimately, Group Product Managers or Directors of Product make the final decisions on research project prioritization.
## What is the cadence of UX Research global prioritization?
