Bootstrapping User Research Gathering data about your users with limited or no resources Aaron Irizarry Senior Product Manager - PixelFish, Inc Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction The Situation There is research that needed to be done... Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction The Situation There is research that needed to be done... • We are limited to very few resources. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction The Situation There is research that needed to be done... • We are limited to very few resources. • We are limited by lack of budget. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction The Situation There is research that needed to be done... • We are limited to very few resources. • We are limited by lack of budget. • We are limited by lack of buy in from stakeholders. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Regardless of our circumstances it is our responsibility as designers and researchers to obtain the data we need even if it is not provided to us. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction But how? The right approach combined with the right tools and a bit of hustle we can dig up useful information on our own. These two things can be our biggest allies when working with limited resources. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Approach If our mental approach isn’t right... We are limiting ourselves from the start. Bootstrapping, and hustling for information has to come from a never say die attitude where we get information about our users by any means necessary. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Approach: technique Be Proactive, be Prepared to get creative in your approach, and be Persistent in your pursuit of data. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Tools: using surveys Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Tools: analytics Getting familiar with analytics tools is a good way to get snapshots of user behavior. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Tools: interviews Any conversation you can have that provides more information about your users is valuable. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Presentation “Once you start talking about what the executives are already convinced of, it becomes easier to get them to make investments. You’re no longer trying to get them to change their focus. You’re playing directly into their main field of attention.” - Jared Spool Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Presentation: techniques Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Presentation: techniques • Avoid too much documentation. Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Presentation: techniques • Avoid too much documentation. • Use Video Monday, September 26, 11 

Introduction Presentation: techniques • Avoid too much documentation. • Use Video • Speak to the points you know will hit home. Monday, September 26, 11 

Don’t get down by limited resources, or when “the powers that be” don’t seem committed. Bootstrap your way to getting the data you need. Monday, September 26, 11 

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Aaron Irizarry Senior Product Manager - PixelFish thisisaaronlife.com @aaroni268 Monday, September 26, 11 

Additional Resources Why I can’t convince executives to invest in UX (and neither can you) - Jared Spool Guerilla Usability Testing - Andy Budd Guerrilla Research Methods - Russ Unger DIY UX - Whitney Hess Evangelizing User Centered Design Pt.4 Research - Aaron Irizarry Monday, September 26, 11 

Bootstrapping User Research Gathering data about your users with limited or no resources Aaron Irizarry Senior Product Manager - PixelFish, Inc Monday, September 26, 11