Podcast

How Krutika Subramanian Made Us Rethink Cross-functional Collaboration in UX Research

We recently had a fantastic chat with Krutika Subramanian, a seasoned leader in the UX research world. Her insights made us think, “We can definitely do better!” When she talked about cross-functional collaboration, we couldn’t help but nod along, thinking, “This is exactly what we need!”

Tanya Choudhary

Sr. Marketing Manager

Collaboration is where the magic happens – it’s the key to transforming our research and enhancing our products. Instead of having researchers work in isolation, let’s invite everyone to the table – engineers, designers, product managers – so we can all share ideas and build something great together. 

It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often it gets overlooked.

If you’re curious to hear more about Krutika’s game-changing ideas, check out the podcast here. You won’t want to miss it!

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Get Involved - Make Team Meetings Fun & Super Productive

Krutika highlighted how important it is to actually show up in team meetings. These gatherings can easily turn into snooze fests where only a few folks talk while everyone else mentally checks out. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

  • Share Quick Wins: Instead of dishing out long-winded presentations, why not toss in some quick, exciting bits of user research? For example, imagine walking into a meeting and saying, “Hey, did you know users are totally confused by this button?” Suddenly, you’ve got everyone’s attention. This kind of approach makes research feel alive and relevant, turning it into a conversation rather than a monologue
  • Create Engagement:Get everyone involved by making your insights relatable to the project. Picture this: you pull up a user quote that says, “I can never find the checkout button, and it drives me crazy!” Sharing something like this sparks an immediate connection. It’s not just data; it’s a real user expressing a real struggle, and now the team is on fire to find a solution!
  • Encourage Discussion: Foster a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Imagine if you set the tone by asking, “What do you guys think? How can we solve this?” Opening the floor for discussion turns meetings into collaborative brainstorming sessions where everyone’s ideas count. Plus, it brings in diverse perspectives that can lead to creative solutions!

By sharing these quick insights, you’re not just dropping knowledge; you’re getting the team fired up about the value of research in their work. The more involved everyone is, the more invested they’ll be in the outcomes!

Track What Works – Numbers Over Nice Words

Next up, let’s tackle how we figure out if our research is actually making a difference. As Krutika correctly pointed out, simply asking for feedback isn’t enough. Sure, some people might be too polite to tell you the research wasn’t helpful. Instead, we should dive into the data to see if our research is creating a real impact.

  • Use Surveys Effectively: Gather feedback on specific aspects of the product, and let’s keep it simple and clear. You could ask questions like, “Did our changes improve your experience?” or “How likely are you to recommend this feature to others?” These questions help you get straight to the heart of what users really think!
  • Analyze Data Trends: Look for patterns in user behavior before and after implementing changes. For example, you might track drop-off rates in a signup process and notice that they decreased significantly after a redesign. That’s proof your research and changes are working!
  • Share Success Metrics: Highlight improvements in team meetings to keep the momentum going. Picture this: you walk into the meeting and say, “Thanks to our last round of user testing, we saw a 30% increase in completed registrations!”

This not only shows that research is relevant but also highlights its real-world value. When teams see these direct benefits, they’re more likely to embrace research in future projects.

Keep Improving – Embrace the Iteration Cycle

Now, let’s chat about the magic of continuous improvement based on feedback. Krutika believes we should celebrate our successes but also dig deep into what didn’t work. If something flopped, we need to learn from it and make it better next time.

  • Hold Retrospectives: After each project, gather the team to discuss:
    • What went well?
    • What could be improved?
    • What did we learn?
  • Create a Feedback Loop: Set up a super easy way for team members to drop their thoughts anytime. Use tools like Slack channels or dedicated forums for ongoing discussions. Picture this: a cozy digital space where everyone can share ideas, ask questions, or even drop a meme related to their feedback. It’s like a non-stop brainstorm session!
  • Foster a Growth Mindset: Shift the vibe so everyone sees challenges as epic learning opportunities instead of total bummers. When things get tough, remind the team that every hiccup is a chance to grow and evolve. It’s all about creating a culture where mistakes are celebrated like wins – because every setback can lead to an awesome comeback!

This collaborative approach doesn’t just generate fresh ideas; it creates a sense of ownership within the team. When everyone feels they’re part of the solution, it strengthens bonds and enhances the product!

Learn from Struggles – Tough Times Lead to Growth

Let’s tackle the truth: challenges are a part of the journey. Krutika believes that facing struggles is vital for growth. Instead of only celebrating wins, we should focus on the bumps along the way.

  • Encourage Open and Honest Chats: Build a chill environment where team members feel totally comfortable sharing their concerns and struggles. Try kicking off discussions with something like, “Let’s spill the tea on what’s not working – stumbles are just part of the journey!” This way, everyone knows it’s cool to be real and get into the nitty-gritty.
  • Analyze Failures as a Team: Turn team meetings into detective work! When a feature doesn’t hit the mark, gather everyone to unpack what happened and brainstorm fresh solutions. Instead of pointing fingers, think of it as a group think-tank where you ask, “What went wrong, and how can we turn this into a win next time?” Let’s figure it out together!
  • Document Our Wisdom: Keep a shared document that captures all the juicy insights you gain from your challenges. This way, when you face something similar in the future, you’ve got a treasure trove of lessons learned to refer back to. It’s like building a playbook for success, where you can say, “Remember when we learned this? Let’s avoid that pitfall again!”

Krutika reminds us that hurdles can lead to great insights. When we understand the challenges we face, we’re better equipped to tackle them head-on, ensuring we’re ready for whatever comes next.

How UXArmy Can Lead the Charge!

Now, let’s tie it all back to our mission. UXArmy is all about breaking down barriers to make collaboration as smooth as butter. We’re not just a powerful UX research tool; we’re your partner in unlocking actionable insights that spark real change. With features like visual reports and heatmaps, we help you see user feedback in a whole new light, making it easier for teams to come together and innovate.
  • Utilize Collaborative Tools: Make the most of the UXArmy platform to:
    • Share Insights with Everyone: Let the whole team in on the latest research findings, so no one’s left in the dark.
    • Create Visual Dashboards: Use our real-time tracking tools to whip up visual dashboards that keep everyone updated on user feedback at a glance. Seeing the data can light a fire under any project!
  • Engage Everyone: Turn research insights into friendly team challenges that get everyone excited. For example, pose the question, “Who can come up with the best solution to improve user retention?” It’s like a fun contest that fuels creativity and teamwork!
  • Make Data Fun: Why not gamify the feedback process? Create playful surveys with engaging questions that make gathering user insights feel more like a game than a chore. Think of it as turning research into a fun scavenger hunt for ideas!

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By weaving Krutika’s insights into our approach at UXArmy, we’re not just empowering teams – we’re transforming how they collaborate and making research an essential part of the product development cycle. Together, let’s create a culture where feedback isn’t just welcomed but celebrated, paving the way for smarter, more user-focused designs!

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