When I first started working on user experience design, I quickly realized how challenging it can be to identify where users struggle with a product. One method that helped me uncover these pain points was the cognitive walkthrough. To make this process easier and more consistent, I developed a cognitive walkthrough worksheet template . This tool has since become a staple in my usability testing toolkit, and I want to share how it can help you evaluate your designs more effec

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader I’ve spent years working in UX research, and one thing I’ve learned is that not all research methods are created equal. Sometimes, the very tools we rely on to understand users can give us a misleading sense of certainty. This false confidence can lead teams down the wrong path, wasting time and resources on solutions that don’t actually meet user needs. In this post, I want to share my experience with how certain UX research methods can

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) research shapes how products and services meet real user needs. But with so many types of UX research, it can be confusing to know which method fits your project. I’ve worked on several design projects where choosing the right research approach made all the difference. In this post, I’ll walk you through the main types of UX research, explain when to use each, and share best practices to get the most from your effort

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Choosing a career in user experience (UX) can be exciting but also confusing. Two popular paths in this field are UX research and UX design. Both roles focus on improving how users interact with products, but they do so in different ways. I want to share my experience and insights to help you decide which path fits your skills, interests, and goals better. A UX researcher reviewing user feedback and data Understanding UX Research UX rese

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX research, I quickly realized that relying on a single method often left gaps in understanding user behavior. One method might reveal what users do, but not why. Another might uncover motivations but miss patterns in actual use. Over time, I learned that layering different UX research methods creates a fuller, more reliable picture. This approach strengthens the evidence we gather and leads to better des

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When deadlines shrink and projects speed up, UX research often feels like the first thing to get squeezed out. Yet, skipping or rushing research can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. I’ve faced this challenge many times, and I want to share practical ways to adapt UX research methods when time is limited, without sacrificing the quality of insights. Quick user journey mapping during tight project timelines UX Research Met

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working with AI tools in research, I believed they could solve nearly every problem. After all, AI can process vast amounts of data faster than any human. But over time, I realized that even with perfect data, AI falls short in making the nuanced judgments that research demands. This post explores why human judgment remains essential in research, despite advances in AI and data quality. Researcher reviewing complex d

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first encountered the idea of servant leadership, I was skeptical. Leadership, in my mind, was about authority, decision-making, and driving results. The notion of leading by serving others felt counterintuitive. Yet, over time, I discovered that this quiet discipline holds a powerful key to building trust, fostering growth, and creating lasting impact. What Servant Leadership Really Means Servant leadership flips the traditional

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX research, my focus was narrow: understand users for a single product, gather feedback, and improve that product. Over time, I realized this approach misses a bigger opportunity. UX research can and should extend beyond individual products to shape broader strategies that benefit entire organizations and ecosystems. This shift changes how we think about users, data, and design decisions. In this post, I’