UX repositories are an often overlooked tool in the design process. In this article, we discuss their value and how you should choose one.
What is a UX research repository?
A UX research repository is a tool that allows you to store, manage and share your UX research data. Think of it as a vault for all the information you’ve gathered throughout the research process, where you can keep track of your findings, store your design assets, and share your work with others.
Using a repository as a single source of truth allows your UX team to sync by having access to the same data, which, in turn, enables efficient collaboration and improved decision-making.
Furthermore, repositories make it easier to create a shared sense of empathy for your customers, allowing you to amplify the voice of the customer and extract valuable insights to develop a genuinely customer-led product.
What are the benefits of a good UX research repository?
UX research is a demanding practice, but there’s no doubt that its returns far outmatch the investment. A good UX research repository, on the other hand, can augment this value by breaking communication silos, enhancing information transparency, and ensuring smarter workflows. As a result, you’ll be able to:
Save lots of valuable time — a good UX research repository will save you time by allowing you to quickly and easily access your UX data from one central location.
Keep your UX data organized — a well-organized UX research repository will help you keep your UX data organized, making it easier to find and use when you need it.
Make your UX data accessible to others — using a UX research repository will make your UX data accessible to others, allowing them to view and use it as well, making it a valuable tool for collaboration.
Keep track of your UX research process — a UX research repository can help you document and monitor your research process, making it easier to iterate, replicate and improve upon in the future.
Where can I store UX research data?
There are many different methods for storing, managing, and sharing UX research data. Some of the most popular methods are:
Using a spreadsheet or database software—this method is often used for smaller UX research projects, as it is easy to set up and use. However, it can be difficult to manage large amounts of data using this approach and information can quickly become scattered and siloed.
Using a cloud-based storage solution—cloud-based storage solutions are becoming increasingly popular for storing UX research data. This method offers the convenience of being able to access your data from anywhere, as well as the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is backed up in a secure location.
Using a regular project management tool—if you already use a project management tool such as Jira or Trello, you could use this tool to store and share your UX research data, though over time you may reach the limits of what these platforms can do .
Building your own UX research repository—if you have the time and resources, you may want to consider creating a custom UX research repository. This option gives you the most control over how your data is organized and accessed, but it also requires the most effort to set up and maintain - this is mainly an option for organizations with teams dedicated to building internal tooling.
Using a purpose-built UX research repository—purpose-built UX research repositories are designed specifically for storing, managing, and sharing UX research data. These repositories usually offer more features and functionality than spreadsheet or database software, making them ideal for larger UX research projects. It’s not without reason that this type of solution is the one preferred by leading UX and product teams. Platforms like Reveall can help you make the most out of your customer research and feedback data.
What is important to take into consideration when choosing a UX research repository?
Now that we’ve covered what kind of repositories there are, let's take a closer look at some key considerations that can help you narrow down what type will suit you most:
Start by defining and prioritizing your goals
The first step in choosing a user research repository is to think about exactly what you want your UX research repository to achieve.
Do you need a place to store completed studies so they can be easily accessed by stakeholders? Are you looking for a way to manage and keep track of ongoing research projects? Once you've defined your goals, it will be much easier to identify which UX research repository features are most important to you.
Get important stakeholders involved
Drawing on the experiences of key stakeholders can give you a critical insight into the issues and pain points in your existing UX research process.
This will help you to prioritize the features that are most important in your UX research repository by understanding which one will have the biggest impact on your business.
Perform a gap analysis
Once you have gathered the opinions of key stakeholders, you can start to identify gaps in your current research process. These gaps will help to prioritize the features that are most important in a UX research repository for your business.
Create a shortlist
After you have identified the most important features for your business, you can start to create a shortlist of products that fit your organization’s needs. Shortlisting UX research repositories can be done by exploring industry reviews, speaking to other UX researchers, or contacting the vendors directly.
Evaluate UX research repositories
The final stage in choosing a UX research repository is to evaluate the shortlisted options. This evaluation should take into account the features that are most important for your business, as well as any gaps that were identified in the research phase. UX research repositories should also be evaluated on their ease of use, customer support, and pricing.
Once you have evaluated the UX research repositories, you will be able to choose the one that is best for your business.
How to choose a UX research repository?
A UX research repository is a great way to keep track of your data. But how do you choose the right one for you? Consider these factors:
The type of data you want to store — do you need to store qualitative data like interviews, surveys, and user testing videos? Or are you mostly concerned with quantitative data like analytics and Heuristics?
How much data do you want to store — do you need a repository that can handle a large volume of data, or will a smaller system suffice?
Who needs to access the data — do you need to share your data with teammates or clients? If so, you'll need a repository with robust sharing and collaboration features.
How easy it is to use the repository — UX research can be time-consuming enough without having to struggle with a difficult-to-use repository. Make sure the system you choose is intuitive and easy to navigate.
How secure the repository is — UX research often contains sensitive information, so it's important to make sure your repository is properly secured. You may want to choose a system with robust security features and compliance with the EU’s GDPR.
What features the repository offers — UX research repositories can vary widely in terms of features. Some offer basic storage and sharing features, while others include more advanced features like data analysis and reporting tools. Choose a system that offers the features you need.
Whether you can share your data with others easily — UX research is often collaborative, so it's important to choose a repository that makes it easy to share data with others. Look for features like granular permission controls and real-time collaboration.
The cost of the repository — UX research repositories can range from free, if you're just using a spreadsheet or existing project management tool, to thousands of dollars for the creation of a custom UX research repository. Choose a system that fits your budget and your needs.
What to look for in a great UX repository
Shortlisting potential UX repository tools can be a challenge. To help out, here are some universally positive factors you might want to look out for:
Easy to use and manage — it goes without saying that the product you’ll use to store and analyze research data should be intuitive. As a result, this will ensure heightened access to knowledge and insights, as well as well-thought-out workflows.
Secure — your data should be safe from unauthorized access, and you should be able to control who can view and edit your data. GDPR-compliance is often-times also a must.
Comprehensive — in order to be truly functional, a UX repository should allow you to store all types of UX data and offer key time-saving features like automated transcriptions, project management, advanced tagging and more.
Shareable — you should be able to share your data with others easily and securely. Good reporting features are a big plus.
Flexible — a UX research repository should be flexible and allow you to customize it to meet your specific processes.
Scalable — it’s important to ensure that your repository can get the job done as your product grows and evolves.
A time saver — a repository should save you time. It should be easy to use and allow you to quickly find the data you need. Any effective automation features are also
Cost-effective — a good UX research repository should be cost-effective. It should be affordable and offer value for money.
Good support — with a tool as comprehensive as a user research repository, don’t underestimate the importance of good customer support.
Actionable — ideally, a great UX research repository should allow you to make your UX research and feedback actionable.
How do I manage a UX Research repository?
Now that you have chosen a UX research repository, it’s time to think about how to manage it effectively.
Here are some tips:
Keep your UX research repository organized — this will make it easier for you to find the data you need and avoid duplication of effort.
Review your UX research regularly — this will help you keep track of your progress and identify areas where further research is needed.
Share your UX research with others — this will help to improve the quality of your data and allow you to collaborate more effectively.
Use tags and keywords to help you find data quickly — UX research repositories can be large and complex, so it is important to have a way to search for data easily. Tags and keywords are an effective way to do this.
Make sure to back up your data — this will ensure that you do not lose any important UX research data if something happens to your repository.
A vital repository of UX data
A user research repository is a critically important part of any UX researcher's toolkit. It allows you to keep all of your UX data in one place, organized, and easily accessible.
With this guide in hand, you'll be able to choose the best UX research repository for your needs, and use it to its full potential.