By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader For many organizations, UX research is synonymous with usability testing. It’s the familiar, tactical method: put a prototype in front of users, observe their struggles, and fix obvious issues. While useful, this narrow focus misses the strategic potential of UX research —to shape product direction, align stakeholders, and reduce risk long before designs hit the screen. It’s time to shift from UX Research Tactics to Strategy Why Staying

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader When an organization grows, so does the demand for research. Suddenly, it’s not just a handful of product teams asking for insights—it’s dozens of teams, across multiple regions, each needing reliable evidence to guide design and business decisions. Without structure, research becomes fragmented, inconsistent, and hard to operationalize. Scaling UX research isn’t about doing more studies ; it’s about building systems that ensure quality,

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader We’ve all been there: you finish a research project, craft a beautiful report, share it with stakeholders—and then… silence. The findings are appreciated, but they don’t translate into decisions, design changes, or business impact . The truth is: a research report isn’t the end of the work. It’s the bridge between evidence and action. To be influential, reports must not only inform but also inspire and direct . Why Research Reports Of

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s quickly becoming a core part of how UX researchers work. From automating repetitive tasks to uncovering new insights, AI tools can enhance efficiency, but they must be used thoughtfully. The goal is not to replace the researcher’s judgment, but to augment human expertise with machine speed and scale . Why Pair UX Research and AI? Efficiency: Automate time-consuming tasks like transcription, clus

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader When people think of UX Research Ops, they often imagine dedicated specialists supporting large research teams. But what if you’re a team of one—responsible for planning, running, and delivering every study? The truth is: ResearchOps is even more essential in this context. With limited time and resources, building repeatable systems allows you to scale yourself and still deliver meaningful impact. Why UX Research Ops Matters for a Solo

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader In today’s fast-moving digital world, UX research isn’t just about running studies and collecting data—it’s about building systems that help organizations make better, evidence-based decisions. For leaders managing large UX research teams, the role expands beyond methods and deliverables. It’s about vision, alignment, and people development . The Role of a UX Research Leader At scale, leadership becomes less about conducting studies your

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Diary studies are one of the most underutilized but powerful methods in the UX researcher’s toolkit. They give us a window into users’ real lives—capturing behaviors, thoughts, and emotions as they unfold naturally over time. Unlike lab studies or one-off interviews, diary studies help uncover longitudinal patterns and contextual insights that are easy to miss in snapshot research. What Are Diary Studies? A diary study asks participant

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Remote and hybrid work have permanently reshaped how teams connect, collaborate, and grow. While the tools have changed, one timeless leadership model continues to stand out: servant leadership . Rooted in empathy, trust, and empowerment, servant leadership is especially powerful in distributed workplaces where face-to-face connections are limited. What is Servant Leadership? Servant leadership flips the traditional hierarchy. Instead of

# Building a Strong UX Research Foundation: The Essential Steps By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader 1. The Business Case Defines the “Why” The business case sets the stage for our research. It answers essential questions: Why are we doing this research? What business decision or risk does it support? Example Customer service calls about claims submissions have increased by 30%, costing $250K per quarter. We need to understand what’s driving this friction to reduce costs a