What the user research team's been doing this week
We thought you might find it interesting to see some of the work that user researchers at GDS get up to each week. Here's a small sample of things we've done this week.
Configuring a Mac laptop for user research
The amazing new GDS research studio at Aviation House has both Windows and Mac computers, allowing our research participants to choose the system they're most familiar with.
UXCampEurope 2014: great sessions, people and 'bier'
Berlin. On the weekend of 7 June 2014, I was one of 500+ user experience types participating in UX Camp Europe 2014. The event is a bit different, with a real sense of Europe-wide community.
User research not just usability
Our user researchers work with project teams throughout a service lifecycle. They’re not just testing usability, they’re researching with users and feeding insights back to the team all the time.
User researchers: what you need to do to pass the Digital by Default Service Assessment
From April 2013, all new or redesigned digital services must meet the Digital by Default Service Standard. Understanding and responding to user needs is at the heart of the standard so, when your team comes up for assessment, it’s important that …
Why we built an in-house user research lab
This is the viewing room in our new user research lab, filled to the brim with people from across a project team - developers, designers and service managers. In short, everyone involved in making a service for government.
How we do research analysis in agile
At a recent all staff meeting, a guest speaker joked that GDS must be keeping the sticky note industry in business. It’s true to say, if you visit GDS, you're sure to see a wall covered with sticky notes somewhere.
It’s user research, not user testing
At least a dozen times a week I find myself saying to someone: We call it user research not user testing. We test our design, our words and our ideas. We don’t test our users. It’s a little thing, some …
5 ways to help user research work better in agile
User research doesn't have the best reputation for fitting well into agile project teams. Agile requires speed - getting useful insights to an agile team quickly can be difficult to achieve.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Our first blog post will be published on Thurs 29 May 2014. All being in order, it will be called '5 ways to help user research work well in agile projects' by Leisa Reichelt. Keep in touch. Sign up to email updates …