Design Thinking, Abordajes ágiles e Investigación de usuarios hoy

How to implement effective research in the Agile environment?

In the fast-paced world of Agile development, research takes on a new nuance. It's crucial not only for understanding user needs, but also for aligning objectives and optimizing timelines. If you're ready to adapt your research to this dynamic environment, here's how to tackle this challenge effectively. This method is not simply about streamlining processes, but about finding a balance between what is achievable and what is necessary.

What are the key steps for an Agile investigation?

To conduct an Agile investigation, here are the key steps to follow:

• Investigate the problem: Start by investigating the problem to obtain key findings. This is the essential starting point that will guide further development.
• Devise a solution: After obtaining findings, the ideation team takes over to propose innovative solutions based on the previous findings.
• Prototype and launch pilot: Quickly prototype the idea and launch a pilot to test it in a real-world context.
• Analyze metrics: Finally, analyze metrics to evaluate the success of the implemented solution.

Why is timeliness important in research?

One of the biggest mistakes companies make is trying to cover too much when researching. In an Agile environment, it is crucial that research is concrete, with clear objectives and strict timelines. This timeliness ensures that the research is:

• Achievable: Working with achievable objectives avoids dispersion of effort and resources.
• Solvable: Only what can be solved in the next step of development should be investigated.
• Specific: The focus should be on solving specific challenges, not on investigating the entire system at once.

Raquel reminds us that the key is to dose those big objectives, transforming them into clear and manageable weekly or monthly goals. Having a well-designed roadmap with assigned responsibilities and specific deliverables is essential to move forward in a coordinated manner.

How to maintain effective communication within the team?

Effective communication within an Agile team is vital. This can be achieved through:

• Daily meetings and use of efficient technology: Tools such as Slack or WhatsApp facilitate agile and less cumbersome communication, keeping the team always informed.
• Designating clear roles: Appointing a skilled scrum master to coordinate between areas is crucial to keep information flowing and unblock any issues that arise.

How is effective recruiting done in Agile research?

In Agile research, recruitment becomes a challenging task, especially when dealing with niche projects. It is vital that:

• The profile of participants is clear and specific: This ensures that the people recruited truly represent the target audience.
• A dedicated recruiter drives the process: The same person conducting the research should not be in charge of recruitment to avoid dispersing efforts.

Given the nature of small, targeted samples, clarity in the profiles is essential to the success of the project.

What value does agile research bring to a project?

Adopting an agile research methodology brings several benefits:

• Focusing on user needs: Places the user at the center, providing solutions that truly meet their needs, rather than simply what the user thinks they want.
• Obtaining actionable results: Focused research provides concrete findings that are directly applicable to practice, differentiating it from purely academic studies.
• Facilitating communication with development teams: Collaborating closely with IT teams ensures that proposed solutions are feasible and can be implemented effectively.

In the end, achieving research that is effective and tailored to the resources available is an art that requires experience and precise focus. It is a skill that, once mastered, ensures that each investigation has a real and positive impact on the final product. And this knowledge, like a beacon, guides toward more focused and effective development.