Form a Beta Group
DRI: Sarah O'Donnell
What is a beta group?
A ‘working’ feature is shared with a subset of users and they are asked to share their feedback. Feedback can be gathered in a variety of ways: survey, email, journal, etc.
The aim of a beta group is to solicit feedback on a feature, to identify bugs and to provide PMs at GitLab with an idea of the adoption rate and typical usage patterns of a particular feature.
This was defined in the Beta Group Discussion meeting held on Monday 1st October 2018:
Meeting notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ii3UZSfqBNCFvFvnWFKEf1kSQk4lNiQm4og3J2YZTyc/
Meeting recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BvnBONUxvCNGfUQlGbenEYReSPY5GzgS/
Requirements
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Landing page
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Ability to opt-in to the beta group when signing-up to GitLab.
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A form which captures users' interests, demographics, etc.
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Ability to segment and email users based on their interests, demographics, etc.
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A documented process for contacting users (we want to ensure quality research, that insights are being shared and avoid user fatigue).
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A documented process for collecting feedback from users (survey?)
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Email 'theme' - to distinguish that emails are coming from the beta group and to avoid confusion with other GitLab mailing lists.
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Template email copy.
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Training sessions (both on process and on conducting beta studies with users).
Other considerations
- We need to encourage Enterprise customers to sign-up to the beta group.
Progress as of Friday 12th October
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We have decided to dissolve the UX Research panel. Existing panel users will be emailed and encouraged to complete the application form to sign-up to GitLab First Look.
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We have decided to call our new research panel/beta group: GitLab First Look.
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Emily has written the copy for the landing page.
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Emily and Katherine have identified multiple online channels/websites where we can advertise the beta group.
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We have identified other locations on the GitLab website and in the product where we can advertise GitLab First Look.
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We've identified what information we'd like to collect from users when they sign-up to GitLab First Look. Feedback is most welcome: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FFks335fDCu2hlbrY4MlXanoDCAZc--VjZImK6znAX8/
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Sarah is talking with Jennifer about how we can store the application form data in SDFC (#104 (closed)).
Progress as of Friday 19th October
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Issues created for landing page (gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com#3148 (closed)) and imagery (gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com#3152 (closed)). Estimated: 2+ week lead time.
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Processes for requesting research and undertaking research have been updated and shared with UX Researchers for feedback.
Outstanding
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Test sign-up form in MailChimp -
Review and purchase tools to support new research methods -
Review template copy within MailChimp -
Update handbook for UX Researchers (gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com!16741 (merged))
When branding is confirmed
Style the following:
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Sign up form -
Confirmation thank you page -
Templates
When the landing page is live
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Contact UX Research Panel, ask users to re-opt in to GitLab First Look. -
Redirect UX Research Panel webpage (https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/gl-infra/infrastructure/issues/5596) -
Update all references to the UX Research Panel in the handbook, design system and on the website. -
Promote GitLab First Look