Conduct user experience research assignments

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This standard is about conducting User eXperience (UX) research assignments.

User-centred design (UCD) is an iterative design process which focuses on users and their needs to inform the design or redesign of products or services by developing a deep understanding of who will be using the system and how they will interact with it. In UCD, design teams involve users throughout the design process to develop UX insights that inform interaction design and the design of service journeys using inclusive and accessible design methods.

Conducting user research involves planning UX research activities, selecting UX research methods, identifying the number and types of users designing and piloting UX research questions and arranging UX research sessions. This also includes drafting discussion guides and preparing stimulus materials for UX research sessions, developing checklists to guide sessions, leading UX research sessions and capturing feedback.

This standard is for those who need to conduct UX research assignments as part of their duties.

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1. Work with stakeholders to agree UX research priorities, objectives and timescales
2. Select the UX research discovery methods to capture user feedback in line with organisational requirements
3. Plan UX research assignments to identify resource requirements and schedule activities
4. Define the criteria for selecting users for UX research discovery sessions
5. Identify the number and types of users for the UX use case to inform sample size selection
6. Select the sample group of users to undertake UX research discovery sessions
7. Design UX research questions to be relevant and actionable for user testing
8. Prepare stimulus materials and the products or prototypes to be tested during UX research sessions
9. Provide instructions for user testing that are simple and clear to guide user participation
10. Pilot user testing research questions and instructions on a test audience to improve levels of user engagement in live tests
11. Review UX research questions to incorporate feedback and remove bias in final versions

12. Liaise with users to plan UX research sessions 

13. Lead UX research sessions to engage with users and guide research questioning to gather user feedback 14. Document outcomes and feedback of UX research to meet stakeholder requirements

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1. What is meant by user experience (UX), UX research and user testing
2. Why user-centred design is important to organisations and how UX research contributes to it
3. Industry standard user testing methods for websites, apps, and prototypes, when to use them and how to apply them correctly
4. Who the stakeholders are and their requirements for user testing and UX research outcomes
5. How to work with stakeholders to agree UX research goals, priorities and timescales
6. How to define the UX problem domain to be solved
7. The steps involved in planning UX research assignments and user testing and how to apply them
8. Industry standard qualitative and quantitative UX research methods including usability testing, interviewing, questionnaires, pop up research, and card sorting and how to apply them
9. The difference between 'moderated' or 'unmoderated' user testing methods
10. How to select and align UX research activities to inform decision making and action in user centred design
11. Industry standard UX testing tools and platforms and how to use them
12. The importance of knowing and agreeing user's expectations
13. How to design UX research questions and check for bias
14. How to run a pilot session to improve user engagement and effectiveness of UX research sessions
15. How to engage effectively with a wide range of users
16. The steps involved in leading a UX research session and how to apply them
17. The stages of UX research questioning and how to apply them
18. How to document the outcomes of UX research