Summary
As a Research Strategist, Chris is frequently asked “What is Research Strategy?” Let's start a conversation that defines this practice and develops its approaches. Research Strategy brings processes and frameworks to bear to ensure that an organization’s research activities are deliberate, effective, and aligned with business objectives. Notably, it is not just the purview of research leadership! All of us are already engaged in this work, but we haven’t been talking about it as such. Chris will present his work in this area and invite others to join him in evolving this emerging practice.
Key Insights
-
•
Research strategy should align with organizational goals to drive impactful decision-making.
-
•
Many organizations lack a formal research strategy, hindering the credibility and effectiveness of research functions.
-
•
Strategy is fundamentally about making choices on what to prioritize and what to exclude.
-
•
A successful research strategy involves defining opportunities and measuring outcomes systematically.
-
•
Workshops like the questions workshop can help generate and prioritize research opportunities effectively.
-
•
A mission statement can crystallize a research team's goals and the boundaries of their focus.
-
•
Integration of research strategy across teams enhances collaborative efforts and alignment on priorities.
-
•
Saying no to projects that lack buy-in ensures better allocation of research resources and efforts.
-
•
A shared framework for research strategy can significantly elevate the discipline's maturity and influence in organizations.
-
•
It's important to engage in conversations around resource allocation to maximize the impact of research.
Notable Quotes
"You're the reason for this talk. I'm tired of seeing researchers that I care about beating their heads against the wall."
"We deserve better; we do deserve a seat at the table."
"Strategy is choosing what not to do. If you're not saying no, you don't have a strategy. You just have urgency."
"If you don’t have a research strategy, you shouldn’t feel bad; many don’t."
"We have a strategy either by design or by default."
"A mission statement crystallizes that into a North Star, knowing what you're shooting for."
"The essence of strategy is what we’re saying no to."
"I hope you'll join me; I need your input."
"The goal is not to answer a question, but to facilitate discussion and surface issues."
"You can drive strategy from wherever you are."
More Videos
"Change is the reason we keep paying attention to stories."
Jon FukudaStorytelling for DesignOps
August 17, 2023
"Civic design is about discovering what kind of changes are needed."
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
"It's trained on all the content that Rosenfeld Media has accumulated."
Louis RosenfeldGenAI for UXers: A Rosenbot Demo and Discussion
June 11, 2025
"Our audience is diverse, and understanding their pain points is crucial."
Megan Nipe Lyndsay BoothHuman-Centered Design for Engagement: Maturing from Newsletterville to Personalized, One-to-One Messaging
December 8, 2021
"Eco Grader was designed to show clients how they could improve their sustainability metrics easily."
Tim FrickThe journey of building a sustainable design practice
April 23, 2025
"The work you take on should always be rooted in research, observations and feedback."
Jackie AjouxLeveling-Up: A Single-Player’s Guide to the DesignOps Team-of-One
January 8, 2024
"Dismantling any kind of martyr complex we live with is crucial."
Deanna ZandtThe Unspoken Complexity of “Self-Care” with Deanna Zandt
July 21, 2022
"What parts of our visibility spectrum are we ignoring?"
Dave MaloufTheme 3: Introduction and Provocation
January 8, 2024
