Lean Research
COMPANY
Jetpack (WordPress)
ROLE
Head of Design/Research
YEAR
2023
~250
CUSTOMER INTERVIEWS
~375
USABILITY TESTS
~175
ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
CHALLENGE
Generate continuous insights without slowing delivery.
APPROACH
Built a lean program of research days and risk-based micro-studies.
OUTCOME
Embedded customer evidence into product decisions while maintaining velocity.
JUST ENOUGH RESEARCH, OFTEN ENOUGH TO STEER.
WHAT I SHIPPED
01
Standing research day
A routine for collecting and reflecting on feedback without derailing teams.
02
Ongoing micro-studies
Quicker loops that feed engineers working in parallel.
03
Just-enough research
Calibrated depth by stakeholder buy-in, risk, and speed.
04
Cross-functional habit
Easier involvement across groups; less analysis overload.
Learnings
Ritual beats heroics.
Small studies, frequent learning.
Research should unblock shipping.
Go deep only when stakes justify it.
Welcome to the bottom of the page. You 🤘
Want to get into more details? Continue on desktop for full case studies that cover the research, the tradeoffs, more artifacts in detail.
hello@ydoll.com
Impact Numbers
~250
Customer interviews
~375
Usability tests completed
~175
Actionable insights
I architected and implemented a lean user research program that established a consistent feedback loop with users, delivering actionable insights while maintaining engineering momentum.
01.
Research that does not slow engineering
Mini-studies in parallel
Problem
User feedback was inconsistent and underused because teams lacked clear ROI, stakeholder engagement was low, and research often felt too time-consuming to influence product decisions.
OBJECTIVES
Use validated customer insights to support B2B deals.
Streamline process and strengthen research practice.
Deliver actionable insights that reduce rework and delays.
Align research to business goals, ROI, and strategy.
Key results
~250 interviews conducted
~375 usability tests
~175 insights shipped
01.
Research that does not slow engineering
Mini-studies in parallel
Problem
User feedback was inconsistent and underused because teams lacked clear ROI, stakeholder engagement was low, and research often felt too time-consuming to influence product decisions.
OBJECTIVES
Use validated customer insights to support B2B deals.
Streamline process and strengthen research practice.
Deliver actionable insights that reduce rework and delays.
Align research to business goals, ROI, and strategy.
Key results
~250 interviews conducted
~375 usability tests
~175 insights shipped
Solutions
Standing research day
Establishes a routine of collecting and reflecting on feedback, signaling a commitment to ongoing improvement.
Less disruptive to teams.
Easier to involve cross-functional groups.
Ongoing micro-studies
Quicker feedback loops make it easier to pivot.
Continuous feedback to engineers as they work in parallel.
Less analysis overload
Just enough research
The Eisenhower Matrix, a time-management tool for prioritizing tasks by urgency and importance, inspired my decision-making framework for determining how much or how little user research to conduct on any given project. Adapting it to balance stakeholder buy-in helps clarify when to prioritize in-depth study and be pragmatic, ensuring we support development without unnecessary delays—unless a significant risk is identified.
The solution
Standing research day
Establishes a routine of collecting and reflecting on feedback, signaling a commitment to ongoing improvement.
Less disruptive to teams.
Easier to involve cross-functional groups.
Ongoing micro-studies
Quicker feedback loops make it easier to pivot.
Continuous feedback to engineers as they work in parallel.
Less analysis overload
Impact Numbers
~250
User Interviews
~375
Usability Tests
~175
Insights
On the subject
I had the great pleasure speaking at Lesbians Who Tech in September 2024. My topic was agile user research and uncovering actionable insights from users, data, and beyond.