Helping Ipsos Convert a Stale Powerpoint Research Experience into a Rich, Story-led Experience  

The start

We started with a discovery session identifying the current processes as well as listening to feedback from existing customers.

We wanted to identify the current problems. Capturing research insights is one challenge. Making people actually want to digest it and give it meaning to different stakeholders is another challenge.

First, the input. Currently done with sticky notes and manually grouped. We experimented with machine learning to capture insights quickly, assign meaning and categorise.

We built a prototype using Amazon's sentiment analysis to test this idea. This felt beyond MVP and would require considerable investment and testing. So we moved it to V2.0 and experimented with an alternate approach.

Our MVP approach used Airtable instead. This meant the system was already built and although a little more manual worked well as a proof of concept.

It was widely loved by the UX team and it provided a consistent format and process for their research. This handled the input side of the project, and went through 3 iterations as we refined the UX.

The output then needed to show both quant and qual data, but in an engaging format for multiple stakeholders.

So we came up with a topline or exec summary that showed findings, the impact and suggested actions. This provided context and an entry point into each research topic without overwhelming the reader.

Charting. Quotes. Actions and Warnings all gave weight and meaning. A big jump from a long-winded Powerpoint document.

We used categorisation to give context and the impact level helped readers understand how important this insight was.

We also needed a way to zoom right out to a company-wide level and encourage people to read. We did this with personalisation, as well as allowing people to search for specific things they'd be interested in.

We wanted to stop the research being done and forgotten. So this would serve as a central knowledge or research hub for the entire company. The system would surface personalised suggestions based on prior reading.

The final piece of the puzzle? Discussions happen in rooms with multiple people. Not great if digital only, so we ensured each project was easy to print.

Having multiple ways to experience and digest the research was an essential part of the project. Here's the team working around the printed versions with a customer. Some things are just better in print still!