UX Researcher Designer

UX Researcher & Designer

Generate user personas from research data, create journey maps, plan usability tests, and synthesize research findings into actionable design recommendations.

Table of Contents

• Trigger Terms
• Workflows
  • Workflow 1: Generate User Persona
  • Workflow 2: Create Journey Map
  • Workflow 3: Plan Usability Test
  • Workflow 4: Synthesize Research
• Tool Reference
• Quick Reference Tables
• Knowledge Base

Trigger Terms

Use this skill when you need to:

• "create user persona"
• "generate persona from data"
• "build customer journey map"
• "map user journey"
• "plan usability test"
• "design usability study"
• "analyze user research"
• "synthesize interview findings"
• "identify user pain points"
• "define user archetypes"
• "calculate research sample size"
• "create empathy map"
• "identify user needs"

Workflows

Workflow 1: Generate User Persona

Situation: You have user data (analytics, surveys, interviews) and need to create a research-backed persona.

Steps:

1. Prepare user data

   Required format (JSON):

   [
     {
       "user_id": "user_1",
       "age": 32,
       "usage_frequency": "daily",
       "features_used": ["dashboard", "reports", "export"],
       "primary_device": "desktop",
       "usage_context": "work",
       "tech_proficiency": 7,
       "pain_points": ["slow loading", "confusing UI"]
     }
   ]
   

2. Run persona generator

   # Human-readable output
   python scripts/persona_generator.py
   

Note: Bundled scripts ship as Markdown reference (.md) — copy the code out of the .md file to run it.

JSON output for integration

python scripts/persona_generator.py json

3. **Review generated components**

| Component           | What to Check                      |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Archetype           | Does it match the data patterns?   |
| Demographics        | Are they derived from actual data? |
| Goals               | Are they specific and actionable?  |
| Frustrations        | Do they include frequency counts?  |
| Design implications | Can designers act on these?        |

4. **Validate persona**
- Show to 3-5 real users: "Does this sound like you?"
- Cross-check with support tickets
- Verify against analytics data

5. **Reference:** See `references/persona-methodology.md` for validity criteria

---

### Workflow 2: Create Journey Map

**Situation:** You need to visualize the end-to-end user experience for a specific goal.

**Steps:**

1. **Define scope**

| Element   | Description                    |
| --------- | ------------------------------ |
| Persona   | Which user type                |
| Goal      | What they're trying to achieve |
| Start     | Trigger that begins journey    |
| End       | Success criteria               |
| Timeframe | Hours/days/weeks               |

2. **Gather journey data**

Sources:
- User interviews (ask "walk me through...")
- Session recordings
- Analytics (funnel, drop-offs)
- Support tickets

3. **Map the stages**

Typical B2B SaaS stages:

Awareness → Evaluation → Onboarding → Adoption → Advocacy

4. **Fill in layers for each stage**

Stage: [Name] ├── Actions: What does user do? ├── Touchpoints: Where do they interact? ├── Emotions: How do they feel? (1-5) ├── Pain Points: What frustrates them? └── Opportunities: Where can we improve?

5. **Identify opportunities**

Priority Score = Frequency × Severity × Solvability

6. **Reference:** See `references/journey-mapping-guide.md` for templates

---

### Workflow 3: Plan Usability Test

**Situation:** You need to validate a design with real users.

**Steps:**

1. **Define research questions**

Transform vague goals into testable questions:

| Vague                 | Testable                                 |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| "Is it easy to use?"  | "Can users complete checkout in <3 min?" |
| "Do users like it?"   | "Will users choose Design A or B?"       |
| "Does it make sense?" | "Can users find settings without hints?" |

2. **Select method**

| Method             | Participants | Duration  | Best For         |
| ------------------ | ------------ | --------- | ---------------- |
| Moderated remote   | 5-8          | 45-60 min | Deep insights    |
| Unmoderated remote | 10-20        | 15-20 min | Quick validation |
| Guerrilla          | 3-5          | 5-10 min  | Rapid feedback   |

3. **Design tasks**

Good task format:

SCENARIO: "Imagine you're planning a trip to Paris..." GOAL: "Book a hotel for 3 nights in your budget." SUCCESS: "You see the confirmation page."

Task progression: Warm-up → Core → Secondary → Edge case → Free exploration

4. **Define success metrics**

| Metric          | Target       |
| --------------- | ------------ |
| Completion rate | >80%         |
| Time on task    | <2× expected |
| Error rate      | <15%         |
| Satisfaction    | >4/5         |

5. **Prepare moderator guide**
- Think-aloud instructions
- Non-leading prompts
- Post-task questions

6. **Reference:** See `references/usability-testing-frameworks.md` for full guide

---

### Workflow 4: Synthesize Research

**Situation:** You have raw research data (interviews, surveys, observations) and need actionable insights.

**Steps:**

1. **Code the data**

Tag each data point:
- `[GOAL]` - What they want to achieve
- `[PAIN]` - What frustrates them
- `[BEHAVIOR]` - What they actually do
- `[CONTEXT]` - When/where they use product
- `[QUOTE]` - Direct user words

2. **Cluster similar patterns**

User A: Uses daily, advanced features, shortcuts User B: Uses daily, complex workflows, automation User C: Uses weekly, basic needs, occasional

Cluster 1: A, B (Power Users) Cluster 2: C (Casual User)

3. **Calculate segment sizes**

| Cluster        | Users | %   | Viability         |
| -------------- | ----- | --- | ----------------- |
| Power Users    | 18    | 36% | Primary persona   |
| Business Users | 15    | 30% | Primary persona   |
| Casual Users   | 12    | 24% | Secondary persona |

4. **Extract key findings**

For each theme:
- Finding statement
- Supporting evidence (quotes, data)
- Frequency (X/Y participants)
- Business impact
- Recommendation

5. **Prioritize opportunities**

| Factor      | Score 1-5                  |
| ----------- | -------------------------- |
| Frequency   | How often does this occur? |
| Severity    | How much does it hurt?     |
| Breadth     | How many users affected?   |
| Solvability | Can we fix this?           |

6. **Reference:** See `references/persona-methodology.md` for analysis framework

---

## Tool Reference

### persona_generator.py

Generates data-driven personas from user research data.

| Argument | Values       | Default | Description   |
| -------- | ------------ | ------- | ------------- |
| format   | (none), json | (none)  | Output format |

**Sample Output:**

============================================================ PERSONA: Alex the Power User

📝 A daily user who primarily uses the product for work purposes

Archetype: Power User Quote: "I need tools that can keep up with my workflow"

👤 Demographics: • Age Range: 25-34 • Location Type: Urban • Tech Proficiency: Advanced

🎯 Goals & Needs: • Complete tasks efficiently • Automate workflows • Access advanced features

😤 Frustrations: • Slow loading times (14/20 users) • No keyboard shortcuts • Limited API access

💡 Design Implications: → Optimize for speed and efficiency → Provide keyboard shortcuts and power features → Expose API and automation capabilities

📈 Data: Based on 45 users Confidence: High

**Archetypes Generated:**

| Archetype     | Signals                  | Design Focus              |
| ------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| power_user    | Daily use, 10+ features  | Efficiency, customization |
| casual_user   | Weekly use, 3-5 features | Simplicity, guidance      |
| business_user | Work context, team use   | Collaboration, reporting  |
| mobile_first  | Mobile primary           | Touch, offline, speed     |

**Output Components:**

| Component           | Description                                 |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| demographics        | Age range, location, occupation, tech level |
| psychographics      | Motivations, values, attitudes, lifestyle   |
| behaviors           | Usage patterns, feature preferences         |
| needs_and_goals     | Primary, secondary, functional, emotional   |
| frustrations        | Pain points with evidence                   |
| scenarios           | Contextual usage stories                    |
| design_implications | Actionable recommendations                  |
| data_points         | Sample size, confidence level               |

---

## Quick Reference Tables

### Research Method Selection

| Question Type              | Best Method             | Sample Size |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------- | ----------- |
| "What do users do?"        | Analytics, observation  | 100+ events |
| "Why do they do it?"       | Interviews              | 8-15 users  |
| "How well can they do it?" | Usability test          | 5-8 users   |
| "What do they prefer?"     | Survey, A/B test        | 50+ users   |
| "What do they feel?"       | Diary study, interviews | 10-15 users |

### Persona Confidence Levels

| Sample Size | Confidence | Use Case    |
| ----------- | ---------- | ----------- |
| 5-10 users  | Low        | Exploratory |
| 11-30 users | Medium     | Directional |
| 31+ users   | High       | Production  |

### Usability Issue Severity

| Severity     | Definition                  | Action             |
| ------------ | --------------------------- | ------------------ |
| 4 - Critical | Prevents task completion    | Fix immediately    |
| 3 - Major    | Significant difficulty      | Fix before release |
| 2 - Minor    | Causes hesitation           | Fix when possible  |
| 1 - Cosmetic | Noticed but not problematic | Low priority       |

### Interview Question Types

| Type       | Example                            | Use For                   |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Context    | "Walk me through your typical day" | Understanding environment |
| Behavior   | "Show me how you do X"             | Observing actual actions  |
| Goals      | "What are you trying to achieve?"  | Uncovering motivations    |
| Pain       | "What's the hardest part?"         | Identifying frustrations  |
| Reflection | "What would you change?"           | Generating ideas          |

---

## Knowledge Base

Detailed reference guides in `references/`:

| File                              | Content                                                |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `persona-methodology.md`          | Validity criteria, data collection, analysis framework |
| `journey-mapping-guide.md`        | Mapping process, templates, opportunity identification |
| `example-personas.md`             | 3 complete persona examples with data                  |
| `usability-testing-frameworks.md` | Test planning, task design, analysis                   |

---

## Validation Checklist

### Persona Quality

- [ ] Based on 20+ users (minimum)
- [ ] At least 2 data sources (quant + qual)
- [ ] Specific, actionable goals
- [ ] Frustrations include frequency counts
- [ ] Design implications are specific
- [ ] Confidence level stated

### Journey Map Quality

- [ ] Scope clearly defined (persona, goal, timeframe)
- [ ] Based on real user data, not assumptions
- [ ] All layers filled (actions, touchpoints, emotions)
- [ ] Pain points identified per stage
- [ ] Opportunities prioritized

### Usability Test Quality

- [ ] Research questions are testable
- [ ] Tasks are realistic scenarios, not instructions
- [ ] 5+ participants per design
- [ ] Success metrics defined
- [ ] Findings include severity ratings

### Research Synthesis Quality

- [ ] Data coded consistently
- [ ] Patterns based on 3+ data points
- [ ] Findings include evidence
- [ ] Recommendations are actionable
- [ ] Priorities justified

## Related Skills

- **UI Design System** (`product-team/ui-design-system/`) — Research findings inform design system decisions
- **Product Manager Toolkit** (`product-team/product-manager-toolkit/`) — Customer interview analysis complements persona research