Summary
As the first-ever user researcher at McKinsey, Megan Blocker pioneered the practice of UXR at the firm, establishing and growing the team to more than 50 researchers, data analysts, and data scientists. But “growing up” as a user researcher in management consulting meant she was unburdened by many of the expectations researchers face in more traditional contexts - instead, she was able to combine the best of management consulting with research and design practices to break barriers for how and where research was applied. In her talk at Advancing Research, she’ll share how she applied core management consulting practices to her research work and how those same practices can help you succeed from study to study as well as when scaling research across your organization.
Key Insights
-
•
The principle of putting the most important message, or the 'so what', right upfront is a deeply ingrained practice in management consulting and critical for influence.
-
•
Consultants come equipped with a 'brash willingness' to challenge power and take bold stances on what should come next, a practice user researchers should adopt.
-
•
User researchers often stop at insights, but should assert provocative, inspiring recommendations that advocate for specific directions.
-
•
Consultants rely on a broad variety of data including expert interviews and secondary sources, not just user data; researchers should likewise expand their data sources.
-
•
Focusing relentlessly on outcomes and defining measurable midterm indicators enables teams to innovate faster and track real progress.
-
•
Reusable, road-tested frameworks from consulting serve as a treasure trove that can accelerate communication and amplify research impact.
-
•
McKinsey’s culture includes an 'obligation to dissent' that pushes individuals not just to notice problems but to act on opportunities to improve.
-
•
Dynamic, frequently changing teams and a decentralized yet committee-driven structure force consultants to master stakeholder navigation and coalition building.
-
•
Embedded researchers have an advantage over consultants in experiencing the long-term impact of recommendations and can use this to deepen outcome-oriented research.
-
•
Proactively reaching out to organizational leaders about upcoming big decisions positions researchers as trusted advisors rather than mere data providers.
Notable Quotes
"But what’s the so what? Get to the point and don’t make me wait."
"Without adoption, value is zero."
"If you see a problem or opportunity, you should do something about it."
"User researchers stop at findings and insights, but often do not advocate for a direction."
"We can all become experts at stuff if we work hard enough – sometimes you have to fake it till you make it."
"Put the most important message right up front no matter what the format."
"Bringing in expert interviews and secondary data gives you an outsider’s perspective to challenge the status quo."
"Hoard and reuse your jewels. Those proven frameworks can amplify every hour of your work."
"Teams are better at solving problems and coming up with innovative ideas than solo practitioners."
"Establish yourself as a trusted expert advisor whose work drives meaningful positive change."
Dig deeper—ask the Rosenbot:
More Videos
"We encourage you all to be your own heroes and connect your own documents."
Jon Fukuda Ellie KryslDesign Planning and Management Support
October 3, 2023
"When we don’t have the people modeling we need, we have to make it ourselves to lift the fog."
Saara Kamppari-MillerCartography for Design Communities
September 10, 2025
"Everything is the way it is by design."
Kevin BethuneReimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation
June 8, 2022
"Process is the scaffolding that helps culture grow when done right."
Daniel OrbachZero to One: Co-Creating Operating Models with your Team
September 23, 2024
"Respondents who feel very connected are twice as likely to say they’re making a significant impact."
Marc Fonteijn Ru ButlerIncrease your confidence, influence, and impact (through a Professional Community)
December 3, 2024
"An AI-driven design tool should help me by lowering the redundant work, reducing tedious tasks and help me focus on the experience and strategy."
Clara Kliman-SilverUX Futures: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Design
June 7, 2023
"If I go to a meeting and have nothing to say for the third time, I won’t go again; I’ll give up my seat for someone who can add value."
Robin Beers Nalini Kotamraju Andy WarrPanel: Excellence in Communicating Insights
March 26, 2024
"UX should be a critical dependency, not an afterthought or checkbox on the to-do list."
Ana Maria Montero Barrantes Aditi Dhar Michelle Kaplan Nate Osborne Matt LaurenceThe Authentic UX Talent Show
January 8, 2024
"Data is only as good as insights that come out of it and action."
Kristen Honey"Let’s Talk About Data and Crisis”: Public Digital Service Delivery = Open Data + Human Centered Design
November 18, 2021
