Curiosity Tank

JUST PAUSE & ASK YOURSELF: What is the problem I am trying to solve? This simple question is critical for PMs, designers, and researchers. It's super easy to keep your head down and get caught up in the work, but if the problem you're solving isn’t well-defined or doesn't align with organizational goals, you'll likely miss the mark. Or worse, doing busy work! If your project lacks clarity, and you don't know what problem you are trying to solve, you should likely be in discovery mode—which is 100% fine as long as your focus is on discovery. So, ask yourself: > What is the problem I am trying to solve? > Should I be in discovery? > Or am I trying to solve a problem that isn’t clearly defined? Then, take action. If you're in discovery, focus on learning—talk to users and prospects, gather input, and explore. If you’re meant to be solving a problem, make sure it’s well-defined first—align with stakeholders, clarify goals, identify and agree on success metrics, and break it down. By doing this, you ensure your work is purposeful, impactful, and aligned with your organization's broader objectives. This illustration is of a dartboard with no target. Arrows are scattered aimlessly. Where is YOUR target? #UXR #ux #uxresearch #CuriosityTank #design #productmanagement #productdevelopment 

JOIN US: I'm beyond excited to invite you to "Back to the Future: The Evolution of Qualitative Research" with the legendary Janet Standen on September 18, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM PT. (Yes, it will be recorded if you cannot make it live.) 🔥 Ever wondered how qualitative research evolved from the days of clipboards and focus groups to where we are now? Here's your chance to find out! Janet isn't just a dear friend and trusted colleague; she's one of the most generous mentors and a rockstar in our research community! 🌟 Her presentation at the QRCA Annual Conference 2023 was so mind-blowing it received a standing ovation—and now, she's bringing it to Curiosity Tank's Expert Series! Why You Can't Miss This Event: > 🕰 Time-Travel Through History: Discover how social sciences, WWII, consumerism, the Mad Men era, and even early UX (before it was cool) shaped our profession. > 🌪 Ride the Rollercoaster of Change: From 9/11 and COVID to globalization and tech revolutions, see how challenges transformed the qualitative landscape. > 🤔 Fuel Your Curiosity: Uncover the surprising influence of curiosity and empathy in our field's evolution. > 🎁 Get Inspired for the Future: Learn valuable lessons from industry pioneers that will turbocharge your qualitative career. Whether you're a seasoned quallie or just starting out, this session promises laughs, "aha" moments, and a fresh perspective on where we've been and where we're headed. Plus, who doesn't love a good story about the early days of qual? Secure Your Spot Now: The registration link is in the comments below Psst... If you've recently been impacted by layoffs or the $25 ticket price feels like a stretch, no worries! Just drop a line to [email protected] for a discounted promo code. We’ve got your back! 💌 Gear up for an unforgettable journey "Back to the Future" of qualitative research. Flux capacitors optional. 😉 See you there! 🚗💨 cc: .Priscilla McKinney. Katrina Noelle Susan Fader💥 Lisa Horwich Sarah Kotva Jason Buhle, PhD Jamin Brazil #ux #uxr #userresearch #uxresearch #design #qualitative #QRCA

This morning Dr. Ari Zelmanow and I shared the results of our self-funded AI-research study with respondents. The title of the study is "How well does AI-Research perform?" The two platforms we tested gathered 100+ responses in just 72 hours—an impressive feat! While they quickly collected data, we ran into some challenges and surprises. We Shared: > The study objectives > Participant overview > What worked well, what didn't, and why > How the two platforms compare and contrast > How both platforms' analysis performed versus human analysis > What we learned about the platforms, respondents, and overall > And more! What's Next? > Expect these platforms to become more sophisticated and user-friendly. > They’ll help cut costs and biases while enhancing participant comfort and trust. > Continued advancements will bring smarter tools and more actionable insights. > We'll share our experience running this study from the research sponsor and respondent POV on Thursday, September 5th (**NEW DATE!!**). The registration link is in the comments. Thanks again to everyone in the applied research community who participated in the study and those who have already registered for the experience share-out! #UXR #ux #uxresearch #CuriosityTank #AI #design cc: Dr. Ari Zelmanow

Our AI Research study, “Understanding AI in Applied Research” wraps up this week. This self-funded study was conducted on two AI-assisted interview platforms in collaboration with Curiosity Tank and Ari Zelmanow of Customer Forensics. Applied researchers responded to five core questions about how they use AI in their work, the barriers they encounter, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We had 42 dual platform participants, 76 total participants for one platform and 73 participants for the other platform. All in all, a terrific response rate! Now we’re ready to share the learning: Thursday, August 29th ***YES IT WILL BE RECORDED.*** We’ve organized this into two parts: > The results > And a “Behind the scenes” view of the experience from our researcher's perspective and the respondent's POV By registering, you’ll gain a firsthand look at under the hood. Can't make it? All registrants will receive the recording. We hope you’ll join us for this novel discussion. --------------------- 1. Results of the AI Research Study: What We Learned This event is private. Only study respondents were invited. It is a free event however registration is required. Study respondents, you received an email earlier today with the private link to register. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us! In this session, we'll cover: > Key Findings: Discover what the data revealed about the use of AI in research and the barriers faced by researchers > Impact on Research: Learn how AI is shaping the research landscape and what this means for the future of the industry > Your Role in the Study: Reflect on your participation and how your input helped shape these important insights --------------------- 2. Behind the Scenes: Conducting AI Research in Applied Studies This event is open to the public and free for study respondents.  Study respondents, you received an email earlier today with a 100% off discount code to register. ***Non-respondents are welcome to join for a $25 fee. This fee will help us offset our out-of-pocket costs. Donations are welcome.*** In this session, we'll cover: > The Researcher’s Experience: Hear about the challenges, surprises, and successes we encountered while using these AI tools in our study. > Participant Perspectives: Learn how respondents engaged with AI platforms and what the feedback tells us about the future of AI in research. > Hear from participants about their experiences as a respondent on the platforms. > Lessons Learned: Discover the key takeaways and how they might influence future research methodologies. Registration is required, emails will be cross-referenced for the discount, and all registrants will receive a recording of the event. We truly value your interest in this one-of-a-kind study and we look forward to sharing it with you. Thank you for registering via Eventbrite. The link is in the comments! #userresearch #uxresearch #UXR #CuriosityTank #ux #design #AI #productmanagement cc: Dr. Ari Zelmanow

“No one comes to work to F*** Up!” I still remember the day my manager Julie Shriver (RIP) hit me with that line when I was a Design Director at Wells Fargo. One of my peers did something so mind-blowingly wrong that it caused DAYS of rework for my entire team. I was fuming! How could he?! I stormed into her office, vented, and what did she say? “No one comes to work to F*** Up!” She didn’t just say it once—she repeated it over and over. At first, I didn’t want to hear it, but she was right! People don’t show up to work thinking, “How can I mess things up today?” My colleague was mortified that his mistake caused such a mess. Sure, my team and I had to dig out of that hole, but that experience still sticks with me. So, next time someone drops the ball, remember: “No one comes to work to F*** Up!” - Give them the benefit of the doubt. - Cut them some slack. - People generally want to do a good job. - They’re probably doing the best they can with what they have. - Once you’ve cooled down, think about what could’ve been done to prevent the situation. - And ask yourself, honestly, “Were they set up for success?” #leadership #teamwork #professionaldevelopment #ux #uxr #curiositytank #design

How well does AI research perform? We're going to find out. I'm excited to collaborate with Ari Zelmanow of Customer Forensics on our self-funded research study, "Understanding AI in Applied Research." We invite you to experience AI interviews firsthand by participating in this innovative exploration. This study explores how you (as a researcher or someone who conducts research) use AI, the barriers you face, and potential topics that might benefit people facing this technological advancement in the research industry. Please share your thoughts, check out the platforms, and contribute to improving the broader research community! No PII will be shared or sold as a part of this study. Your Participation: Use one or both AI research platforms to share your responses to five questions. The interviews will be conducted using AI-assisted interview tools and should take less than 6 minutes (per platform) to complete. Take part in research on one or both AI research platforms firsthand. We know you’re curious! Check it out! Key Dates: The study is now live. We'll share the results with respondents by the end of August and hold a live event to share our experience running this study on both platforms. How to Participate: These links allow you to participate on two AI research platforms. Speak your truth regardless of platform. The questions will be consistent (but different) across the platforms. Each platform provides its own respondent experience. You’re welcome to complete both versions to evaluate how the platforms compare from the respondent’s perspectives. The first 50 participants will receive a $10 Visa gift card! Please complete both interviews to qualify for the incentive! The links to both tools: - https://lnkd.in/g9rTwxYT - https://lnkd.in/giU4eUfX Your responses will help us understand the current landscape of AI in research and guide future discussions. Benefits of Participation: Experience using multiple AI research platforms. Contribute to how AI may enhance the research community and what’s needed to embrace it. Receive the study results and learn about the performance of the platforms (optional). We value your feedback and hope you will join us in this important study. Thank you in advance for your participation! #ux #uxr #userresearch #uxresearch #curiositytank #ai #thefuture #design #productmanagement #productmanager cc: Dr. Ari Zelmanow, Michele Ronsen, Curiosity Tank