User Research Studies
I approach research as an essential part of design, that starts at problem definition and results in usability studies on live software. Users are a treasure trove of insight that challenge design assumptions on the most fundamental level.

USER TESTING PHASES
Speaking to users at the problem definition stage, gaining first hand experience and testing initial assumptions.
Surveying users to gain top-level understanding of their expectations and needs, typically resulting in more in-depth discussions. Protoyping (from determining everything needed to be tested to designing prototypes themselves) and testing with users.
Designing usability testing on live software which includes mapping a set of test goals and designing the tasks around those. It may also include designing training material for testers outside the team.
Documenting, analyzing and sharing testing results. I typically capture as much data as possible, and create formats that others can consume. Testing data is useful
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