--- title: UX Research in a Fast-Paced Development Cycle description: While traditional research, especially in an academic setting, would typically take months from start to finish, user researchers in the industry have found ways to make research more efficient and tactical, while remaining effective and informative. image: https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/user-interface-1655006__480.png --- [![Key Lime Logo](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Key%20Lime%20Logo.png?width=200&height=39&name=Key%20Lime%20Logo.png "Key Lime Logo")](https://keylimeinteractive.com/) - SERVICES - [All Services](https://keylimeinteractive.com/services) - [UX Strategy](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-strategy-design/) - [User Research](https://keylimeinteractive.com/user-research/) - [UX/UI Design](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-design-strategy/) - [EmTech Strategy](https://keylimeinteractive.com/emerging-technology/) - OUR WORK - [Our Approach](https://dev.keylimeinteractive.com/our-approach/) - [Enterprise Clients](https://keylimeinteractive.com/work/) - [Public Sector](https://keylimeinteractive.com/public-sector-gsa-schedule/) - [ABOUT US](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Who We Are](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [People](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=1eb079d3-bb50-438a-a731-eaa18a982193&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US) - INSIGHTS - [CX Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com) - [Events](https://keylimeinteractive.com/upcoming-events/) - [Competitive Indexes](https://keylimeinteractive.com/reports/#rankings) - [White Papers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/reports/) - [CONTACT US](https://keylimeinteractive.com/contact/) [![](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/key-lime-interactive.svg)](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - [What We Do](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-services/) - [Proven Process](https://keylimeinteractive.com/proven-process/) - [About Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Meet Our Team](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/careers/) - [News](https://keylimeinteractive.com/news/) - [Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - Resources - [Case Studies](https://keylimeinteractive.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/events) - [What We Do](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-services/) - [Proven Process](https://keylimeinteractive.com/proven-process/) - [About Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Meet Our Team](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/careers/) - [News](https://keylimeinteractive.com/news/) - [Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - Resources - [Case Studies](https://keylimeinteractive.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/events) [Contact us](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/contact) [![](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/key-lime-interactive.svg)](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - [What We Do](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-services/) - [Proven Process](https://keylimeinteractive.com/proven-process/) - [About Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Meet Our Team](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/careers/) - [News](https://keylimeinteractive.com/news/) - [Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - Resources - [Case Studies](https://keylimeinteractive.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/events) - [What We Do](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-services/) - [Proven Process](https://keylimeinteractive.com/proven-process/) - [About Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Meet Our Team](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/careers/) - [News](https://keylimeinteractive.com/news/) - [Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) - Resources - [Case Studies](https://keylimeinteractive.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/events) [Contact us](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/contact) - - - # UX Research in a Fast-Paced Development Cycle [By Key Lime Interactive](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/author/key-lime-interactive) March 29, 2019 [App Development](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/app-development), [UX Strategy](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-strategy) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![user-interface-1655006\_\_480](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/user-interface-1655006__480.png)       With the prevalence of [Agile](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/what-is-agile), Scrum, and Lean, software development cycles have been shortened dramatically, compared to the Waterfall development cycle. As a result, user research has to fit into the same cadence, from study design, data collection, to presentation. While traditional research, especially in an academic setting, would typically take months from start to finish, user researchers in the industry have found ways to make research more efficient and tactical, while remaining effective and informative.      An industrious user researcher can find many ways to adapt research methods to the cadence of Agile development cycle, typically two weeks. However, as Heidi Toussaint at Google has shown, [user research can be done as quickly as one week](https://medium.com/mixed-methods/rapid-ux-research-at-google-3b92dd038e30). A strategy to adapt user research for Agile requires three key parts from researchers: **efficiency**, **creativity**, and **readiness**. **Be efficient.** - In study design, breaking down research goals into small, manageable hypotheses can help create a more tactical approach towards user research. Knowing a list of small hypotheses and goals can help researchers plan for a series of short studies to continuously supply information for their designer and developer colleagues. - User researchers in Agile can save time by working forward. Pulling relevant data and marking timestamps would assist in presentation building later in the research cycle. Keeping the team informed, both researchers and [stakeholders](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/engaging-stakeholders-in-ux-research) after each session or each day of sessions can help expedite the conclusion-/narrative-making process - Preparing a standard participant recruitment screener, especially if there are many upcoming projects of a similar nature (e.g. different parts of the same product) can help recruiters fill participant quotas quickly and consistently. **Be creative.** - Adapting existing methods to suit your needs. And finally, be ready - Keep the entire team, including shareholders, involved and updated through the entire research cycle. Invite shareholders to kick-offs and study sessions to help them understand the process and build their own narratives and questions. Questions from shareholders can be passed back to the researchers and help identify themes and discoveries from the data. - Having at least two researchers for study sessions allows them to tag-team in long and exhausting days of study sessions. - Participant recruiting often takes a significant amount of time for user research. Keeping good participants closely on hand or recruit ahead of time. If resources permit, having dedicated recruiters can help take the load off of researchers as well. - To ensure a smooth flow of information from user research to designers and developers, researchers in Agile often have to work a sprint ahead with at least one designer, creating a parallel timeline between research and development.   Sources Rimmer, John. 2018. [3 Alternative User Research Methods for Agile Development](https://uxplanet.org/3-alternative-user-research-methods-for-agile-development-43073a70871d)Toussaint, Heidi. 2018. [Rapid UX Research at Google](https://medium.com/mixed-methods/rapid-ux-research-at-google-3b92dd038e30)Stockwell, Amanda. 2016. [How to adapt UX research for an Agile Development](https://uxmastery.com/how-to-adapt-ux-research-for-an-agile-environment/)Kapadiya, Roma. 2018. [Combining Agile Methodologies with UX Workflow](https://uxplanet.org/combining-agile-methodologies-with-ux-workflow-b3325bf100ed)   **READ MORE:** [Keeping Up With Programming Trends](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/keeping-up-with-programming-trends), [When to Use ZeroUI: A Researcher's Perspective](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/when-to-use-zero-ui-a-researchers-perspective), [Prototyping and UX Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/prototyping-and-ux-research), [KLI UX Design Services for Agile Development](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/key-lime-interactive-ux-design-services-for-agile-development) ###### More by this Author [Key Lime Interactive](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/author/key-lime-interactive) ##### You might also like ![The UX of Running Apps](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/runner.jpg) [The UX of Running Apps](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/the-ux-of-running-apps) March 29, 2019 ![Is Panera Leading the Way for Restaurants With Their In-Store Experience?](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/Picture2-3.png) [Is Panera Leading the Way for Restaurants With Their In-Store Experience?](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/is-panera-leading-the-way-for-restaurants-with-their-in-store-experience) March 29, 2019 #### Comments [Add Comment](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-in-a-fast-paced-development-cycle#comment-form) ABOUT KLI [Key Lime Interactive](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us)is a user experience research and service design agency, with a sweet spot for emerging technology. As UX experts, our goal is to make your life easier, optimize user experiences, and make the world a better place. - [Recent](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-in-a-fast-paced-development-cycle#tabs-0) - [Popular](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-in-a-fast-paced-development-cycle#tabs-1) ![Upsell with Purpose: Fueling SaaS Growth Through User Insight](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/Multiethnic%20group%20of%20young%20people%20sitting%20in%20conference%20room%20and%20brainstorming%20on%20business%20meeting.jpeg) [Upsell with Purpose: Fueling SaaS Growth Through User Insight](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/upselling-in-a-saas-environment-with-a-user-centric-approach) Jun 9, 2021 ![5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Working with a UX Research Consultant](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/Attractive%20businessman%20speaking%20with%20fellow%20coworkers.jpeg) [5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Working with a UX Research Consultant](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/5-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-working-with-a-ux-research-consultant) Jun 9, 2021 ![Designing Engagement Through Micro-Interactions](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20closeup%20shot%20of%20a%20finger%20gently%20tapping%20a%20digital%20button%20on%20a%20sleek%2c%20modern%20interface.jpeg) [Designing Engagement Through Micro-Interactions](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/the-significance-of-micro-interactions-in-shaping-user-engagement-and-experience) Jun 9, 2021 ![What is the Keystroke-Level Model?](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/Keystroke.jpg) [What is the Keystroke-Level Model?](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/what-is-the-keystroke-level-model) Jun 9, 2021 ![Current-State vs. Future-State Journey Mapping](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/destination-2386255_1280.jpg) [Current-State vs. Future-State Journey Mapping](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/current-state-vs.-future-state-journey-mapping) Jun 9, 2021 ![A History of Voice Technology](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-11%20at%2012.18.34%20PM.png) [A History of Voice Technology](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/history-of-voice-technology) Jun 9, 2021 Create a UX Strategy [![key-lime-interactive-ux](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/key-lime-interactive-ux.png?width=635&height=634&name=key-lime-interactive-ux.png)](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-strategy-design) ### Post By Topics - [Research Methods](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/research-methods) - [UX Strategy](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-strategy) - [Events & News](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/events-news) - [UX Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-research) - [User Experience](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-experience) - [User Interface](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-interface) - [UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux) - [News](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/news) - [Mobile UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/mobile-ux) - [Usability Testing](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/usability-testing) - [Competitive Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/competitive-research) - [UX Design](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-design) - [Eye tracking & Biometrics](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/eye-tracking-biometrics) - [Qualitative Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/qualitative-research) - [Customer Experience](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/customer-experience) - [Journey Mapping](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/journey-mapping) - [DEI](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/dei) - [Remote Testing](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/remote-testing) - [User Experience Consultant](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-experience-consultant) - [VR](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/vr) - [XR](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/xr) - [Multicultural UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/multicultural-ux) - [Mobile Banking](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/mobile-banking) - [Quantitative Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/quantitative-research) - [App Development](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/app-development) - [User Experience Research Studies](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-experience-research-studies) - [Diversity Equity Inclusion](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/diversity-equity-inclusion) - [UI](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ui) - [Voice Technology](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/voice-technology) - [Accessibility](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/accessibility) - [Behavioral Personas](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/behavioral-personas) - [Diary Study & Ethnography](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/diary-study-ethnography) - [Global Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/global-research) - [Inclusivity Index](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/inclusivity-index) - [User Testing](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-testing) - [Card Sort & Tree Test](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/card-sort-tree-test) - [Human-first Approach](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/human-first-approach) - [Personalization](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/personalization) - [CX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/cx) - [Diary Study](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/diary-study) - [In-Depth Interviews](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/in-depth-interviews) - [Inclusivity](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/inclusivity) - [A/B Testing](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/a-b-testing) - [CX Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/cx-research) - [IDIs](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/idis) - [Bias](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/bias) - [Personas](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/personas) - [Research Participant Recruitment](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/research-participant-recruitment) - [Usability](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/usability) - [Women in UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/women-in-ux) - [Workshops](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/workshops) - [Customer Journey Mapping](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/customer-journey-mapping) - [Remote Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/remote-research) - [Research Analysis](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/research-analysis) - [UX Methods](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-methods) - [Webinars](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/webinars) - [Anthropology](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/anthropology) - [Competitive Benchmarking](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/competitive-benchmarking) - [Competitive Insights](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/competitive-insights) - [Competitive Intelligence](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/competitive-intelligence) - [Confirmation Bias](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/confirmation-bias) - [Ethnography](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ethnography) - [Gaming](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/gaming) - [Healthcare CX Design](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/healthcare-cx-design) - [Healthcare Customer Experience Design](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/healthcare-customer-experience-design) - [Heuristics](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/heuristics) - [Unmoderated](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/unmoderated) - [sample size calculation](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/sample-size-calculation) - [AI development](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ai-development) - [Biometrics](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/biometrics) - [Communication](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/communication) - [Competitive Intelligence Analysis](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/competitive-intelligence-analysis) - [Concept Testing](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/concept-testing) - [Consultant](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/consultant) - [Custom Projects](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/custom-projects) - [Dedicated Services](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/dedicated-services) - [Digital Divide](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/digital-divide) - [Impact](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/impact) - [Keystroke Level Model](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/keystroke-level-model) - [Literature Review](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/literature-review) - [Negotiation in UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/negotiation-in-ux) - [Nonprofit UX](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/nonprofit-ux) - [Presentation](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/presentation) - [Rapid Research](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/rapid-research) - [Report](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/report) - [SaaS](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/saas) - [UX Templates](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/ux-templates) - [World Usability Day](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/world-usability-day) - [digital design](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/digital-design) - [persona](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/persona) - [user engagement](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/topic/user-engagement) ![ ](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/aicpa-soc-certified.png) ![Logo of the National Minority Supplier Development Council with colorful abstract shapes and text.](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NMSDC-Logo-NATIONAL-1024x716.jpg) ![Logo with the text "Insights Association" and colorful squares forming a pattern above the text.](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/insights-association-logo-v2.png) ![](https://keylimeinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/key-lime-interactive.svg) Your Trusted Partner for UX Research Key Lime Interactive - [What We Do](https://keylimeinteractive.com/ux-research-services/) - [Proven Process](https://keylimeinteractive.com/proven-process/) Resources - [Case Studies](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/case-studies) - [Events + Workshops](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/events) - [Blog](https://info.keylimeinteractive.com/) Company - [About Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/about-us/) - [Meet Our Team](https://keylimeinteractive.com/our-team/) - [Careers](https://keylimeinteractive.com/careers/) - [News](https://keylimeinteractive.com/news/) - [Security & Compliance](https://app.vanta.com/keylimeinteractive.com/trust/cylnxu23wx6pzvej7bloh9) - [Public Sector GSA](https://keylimeinteractive.com/public-sector-gsa-schedule/) Get in touch - [Contact Us](https://keylimeinteractive.com/contact) © 2025 All Rights Reserved. - [Privacy Policy](https://keylimeinteractive.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms of Use](https://keylimeinteractive.com/terms/)