In this presentation I discuss the approach, and tools we can use to do research on our users when we don't have resources, budget, or buy in from stakeholders.

1. Bootstrapping User Research
Gathering data about your users with limited or no resources
Aaron Irizarry
Senior Product Manager - PixelFish, Inc

2. The Situation
Introduction
There is research that needed to be done...

3. The Situation
Introduction
There is research that needed to be done...
• We are limited to very few resources.

4. The Situation
Introduction
There is research that needed to be done...
• We are limited to very few resources.
• We are limited by lack of budget.

5. The Situation
Introduction
There is research that needed to be done...
• We are limited to very few resources.
• We are limited by lack of budget.
• We are limited by lack of buy in from stakeholders.

6. Introduction our circumstances
Regardless of
it is our responsibility as designers
and researchers to obtain the data
we need even if it is not provided to
us.

7. But how?
Introduction
The right approach combined with the right tools
and a bit of hustle we can dig up useful
information on our own.
These two things can be our biggest allies when
working with limited resources.

8. Approach
Introduction
If our mental approach isn’t right... We are
limiting ourselves from the start.
Bootstrapping, and hustling for information has to
come from a never say die attitude where we get
information about our users by any means
necessary.

9. Approach: technique
Introduction
Be Proactive, be Prepared to get
creative in your approach, and be
Persistent in your pursuit of data.

10. Introductionsurveys
Tools: using

11. Tools: analytics
Introduction
Getting familiar with
analytics tools is a good
way to get snapshots of
user behavior.

12. Tools: interviews
Introduction
Any conversation you can have
that provides more information
about your users is valuable.

13. Presentation
Introduction
“Once you start talking about what the executives
are already convinced of, it becomes easier to get
them to make investments. You’re no longer trying
to get them to change their focus. You’re playing
directly into their main field of attention.”
- Jared Spool

14. Introduction techniques
Presentation:

15. Introduction techniques
Presentation:
• Avoid too much documentation.

16. Introduction techniques
Presentation:
• Avoid too much documentation.
• Use Video

17. Introduction techniques
Presentation:
• Avoid too much documentation.
• Use Video
• Speak to the points you know will hit home.

18. Don’t get down by limited
resources, or when “the powers
that be” don’t seem committed.
Bootstrap your way to getting the
data you need.

19. That’s my story and I’m
sticking to it.
Aaron Irizarry
Senior Product Manager - PixelFish
thisisaaronlife.com
@aaroni268

20. Additional Resources
Why I can’t convince executives to invest in UX (and neither can you) - Jared Spool
Guerilla Usability Testing - Andy Budd
Guerrilla Research Methods - Russ Unger
DIY UX - Whitney Hess
Evangelizing User Centered Design Pt.4 Research - Aaron Irizarry

21. Bootstrapping User Research
Gathering data about your users with limited or no resources
Aaron Irizarry
Senior Product Manager - PixelFish, Inc