Summary
User research war stories are stories about contextual user research and the inevitable mishaps that ensue. These stories are in turn bizarre, comic, tragic and generally astonishing. For a practice that is not always well-understood or trusted, there’s pressure for us to only speak to the successes, but examining the human messiness of this work can help develop our skills and our community. Steve Portigal will expand the always-growing collection of user research war stories by bringing three new stories to the Advancing Research stage.
Key Insights
-
•
Sharing war stories can illustrate the importance of qualitative research in a landscape often dominated by quantitative metrics.
-
•
Vulnerability in storytelling fosters authenticity and connects researchers with their audiences.
-
•
Documenting research experiences as they occur can provide valuable insights and lessons learned over time.
-
•
The unpredictability of fieldwork requires researchers to be flexible and adaptable in their approach.
-
•
The balance between business demands and the slower pace of qualitative research is a common challenge.
-
•
War stories can help illustrate the value of different research methodologies to stakeholders.
-
•
Encouraging colleagues to write down their experiences helps foster a culture of reflection and learning.
-
•
Finding humanity in unexpected moments can deepen understanding in research settings.
-
•
The unique challenges faced by women and people of color in research contexts can inform resilience and adaptability within the profession.
-
•
Every researcher, regardless of experience level, must return to foundational principles in their work.
Notable Quotes
"I was very conscious of what I perceived might be impatience."
"This is something that really took a lot for me to rethink about this experience."
"Writing it down as a story is really important."
"The storytelling process is where the value lies, even if there's not a moral."
"You don't have to have a moral to the story; just capture it now."
"In the moment, it just felt very uncomfortable."
"You have to go back to the basics, and everyone has to rely on them."
"Some minorities have had to experience flexibility more than others."
"Adapting to situations can offer both burdens and power."
"Research is about humans working with other humans."
More Videos
"Your job is to play the tour guide and help others feel at home in your new world."
Jon FukudaStorytelling for DesignOps
August 17, 2023
"Democratic accountability and transparency are critical in service delivery."
Christian BasonInnovating With People: Unleashing the Potential of Civic Design
December 8, 2021
"I literally woke up and chose myself."
B. Pagels-MinorBreaking the Tension: The Power of Enabling Your Employees to Show Up Authentically
June 10, 2022
"We are attempting to make this smarter while ensuring quality and scope."
Louis RosenfeldGenAI for UXers: A Rosenbot Demo and Discussion
June 11, 2025
"Nearly three quarters of those surviving violent or abusive trauma report alcohol use disorders."
Megan Nipe Lyndsay BoothHuman-Centered Design for Engagement: Maturing from Newsletterville to Personalized, One-to-One Messaging
December 8, 2021
"The biggest hurdle is convincing organizations that sustainable choices can actually improve their bottom line."
Tim FrickThe journey of building a sustainable design practice
April 23, 2025
"Assume you already have a seat at the table."
Jackie AjouxLeveling-Up: A Single-Player’s Guide to the DesignOps Team-of-One
January 8, 2024
"There are many different roles to play in supporting a community."
Deanna ZandtThe Unspoken Complexity of “Self-Care” with Deanna Zandt
July 21, 2022
"I'm really jazzed off of the talk that Lisa just gave."
Dave MaloufTheme 3: Introduction and Provocation
January 8, 2024
