Nikki Anderson, founder of User Research Strategist, helps user researchers become strategic decision-makers through her Substack, podcast, and speaking engagements. Known for transparency and actionable insights, she's shaping the future of research while chasing waves and geeking out over Pokémon.

PART ONE What Is a Research Practice?

1 What Is a Research Practice?

2 Why Is a Research Practice Important?

3 Connecting Research to Business

PART TWO Reflect on the Current State

4 Viewing Stakeholders as Users

5 Assess the Current User Research Maturity

PART THREE Set Up Operations and a Framework

6 Set Up Core Research Operations

7 Create a Research Framework

PART FOUR Define Your Playbook

8 Introduction to the Five Phases

9 Phase One: Problem Discovery

10 Phase Two: Problem Definition

11 Phase Three: Solution Design and Refinement

12 Phase Four: Testing and Execution

13 Phase Five: Maintain and Iterate

PART FIVE Methodology Breakdown

14 Problem Discovery Methods

15 Problem Definition Methods

16 Solution Design and Refinement Methods

17 Testing and Execution Methods

18 Monitor and Iterate Methods

19 Bonus: Uncommon Methods

PART SIX Analysis and Synthesis Breakdown

20 Demystifying the Synthesis Process

21 Running Synthesis Sessions

22 An Analysis and Synthesis Process for Generative Research

23 Writing Insights and Recommendations

PART SEVEN Creating Effective and Realistic Deliverables and Outcomes

24 Writing Reports

25 Using the Pyramid Principle

26 Session Summaries

27 Research Newsletters

28 Personas

29 Ecosystem Maps

30 UX Scorecard

PART EIGHT Activating Your User Research

31 Bring Your Insights to Life

PART NINE Juggling It All

32 Using AI as a Thought Partner

33 Democratizing User Research

34 Time Management

35 Navigating Burnout

PART TEN Test and Iterate

36 Feedback and Iteration