A Research Skills Evolution
Summary
Key Insights
-
•
The Research Skills Framework was developed with input from almost 500 researchers across 30 cities worldwide.
-
•
The framework divides skills into 47 craft skills and 13 human skills, treating both as equally important.
-
•
Human skills in research, often labeled as 'soft skills,' are essential for making research usable and impactful within organizations.
-
•
Product analytics is a highly desirable skill that researchers want to develop more than they currently use it.
-
•
Research evangelization—the act of amplifying and sharing research within organizations—is rated as the most useful skill by experienced researchers.
-
•
Researcher growth progresses from focusing on individual task execution to influencing teams, products, and entire organizations.
-
•
Simon Wardley’s value chain and mapping techniques are adapted to visualize research skill development and organizational impact.
-
•
Foundational skills like coordination and data management remain necessary but should be delegated or streamlined to free time for strategic research work.
-
•
ResearchOps emerges as a function to manage foundational research tasks to help researchers focus on higher-order work.
-
•
The framework enables practical applications such as team retrospectives using skill mapping and the creation of adaptable research playbooks.
Notable Quotes
"Ten years ago, I did not know that we could do research as a job."
"As junior researchers, we mostly work on execution, while senior researchers own the whole process."
"Human skills are not just the soft mushy stuff or dark arts; they are equal partners to craft skills."
"Product analytics is much more desired than it is put into use right now among qualitative researchers."
"Research evangelization is the highest rated in usefulness among researchers with over 12 years’ experience."
"Growth as a researcher means expanding your sphere of influence from self to the entire organization."
"Basic coordinating and data management skills are foundational but not where researchers should spend most of their focus."
"ResearchOps came from the need to streamline these bottom of the chain foundational skills."
"You can create a strategic capability profile of your team by mapping skills and desired growth across members."
"This research skills framework could become a living language of practice that evolves with community contributions."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"The nobility complex is when we in the West unintentionally create solutions without accounting for our own biases."
Nancy DouyonWe'll Figure That Out in the Next Launch: Enterprise Tech's Nobility Complex
June 15, 2018
"All behavior your component is capable of, including responsive and interaction states, will work inside UXPin."
Jack BeharHow to Build Prototypes that Behave like an End-Product
December 6, 2022
"Teams continue functioning kind of as they were for a while, running alongside each other like two rivers for miles without mixing."
Jorge ArangoMeeting of the Waters: Designing for Successful Inorganic Growth
August 12, 2021
"If you’re a team of one, focus on getting one stakeholder at a time to sponsor your work."
Jon White Erin MayUnsticking Research for Better Information Flow
March 11, 2026
"If someone asks you for a cup of coffee, here’s the cup of coffee. You did it. But always have proposals on the side for more."
Jessamyn EdwardsSurviving Your UX Career in Enterprise Design
December 2, 2021
"What one government agency does often serves as the playbook for success at another."
Stefanie OwensOptimizing for Outcomes: Transformation Design in Systems at Scale
December 4, 2024
"That friends is service experience in the 21st century."
Ron BronsonDesign, Consequences & Everyday Life
November 18, 2022
"As a starter, I’m great at beginning things, but the company has the infrastructure to maintain them."
Louis RosenfeldThe Rosenbot and the Rosenverse: An AMA with Lou Rosenfeld
June 5, 2024
"We're at a pivotal moment where technology can truly make a difference in sustainability."
Ash BrownSilver Linings: What DesignOps Learned in the Shift to WFH
October 23, 2020
