Summary
Research democratization is here to stay, with both researchers and people who do research contributing to knowledge creation. This session explores effective collaboration models and roles—curation, co-creation, and generation. It examines necessary boundaries and offers practical strategies for managing democratization, regaining agency, and ensuring shared power that strengthens the whole, rather than diminishing individual contributions.
Key Insights
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Customer experience needs to be the priority of product teams, not internal priorities.
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Collaboration among diverse teams fosters a collective understanding of user needs.
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Field research adds valuable context that shapes product decisions.
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Resisting change in research approaches can limit growth and innovation.
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Research should not be seen as a siloed responsibility but a shared function across disciplines.
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Balancing user needs with business objectives enhances product value and customer satisfaction.
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Effective research involves guiding teams through complexity and uncertainty.
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Building relationships and influencing stakeholders are key for researchers without formal authority.
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Translating insights into actionable knowledge requires visual tools and collaborative artifacts.
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The future of research will integrate insights from non-researchers, enhancing overall product understanding.
Notable Quotes
"I realized research isn't about collecting insights. It's about shaping how teams think."
"Research is evolving; decisions need research no matter who does it."
"What is happening to research? I call it the research remix."
"Research isn't something handed off at the end; it's woven into every part of the process."
"The mistake is seeing that as a threat instead of an opportunity."
"It's not about ownership, it's about impact."
"The ability to understand the business needs is key to delivering recognizable business value."
"If it can't be recognized, it can't be valued."
"We need to shift from a transactional relationship made of handoffs to shaping knowledge together."
"Our role is shifting, but research isn't disappearing. It's more powerful than ever."
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