User Researcher

Summary

A user researcher is usually embedded in a multidisciplinary team and responsible for planning and carrying out user research activities. At this level, you will be expected to work independently on a team.

Work Activity Components

Title Details
Collect, analyse and share (Level 3) User research Documents and shares the outcomes of user research.
Collaboration (Level 3) User research Works closely with analytics and other insight colleagues to integrate customer data and research findings.
Involve, synthesise and inform (Level 3) User research Provides evidence drawn from data and research analysis to represent the user in product and design discussions.

Behavioural Skills

Title Details
Information Acquisition Identifying gaps in the available information required to understand a problem or situation and devising a means of resolving them.
Attention to Detail Applying specific quality standards to all tasks undertaken to ensure that deliverables are accurate and complete.
Verbal Expression Communicating effectively using the spoken word.
Written Expression Communicating effectively in writing, such as reports and via emails.
Teamwork Working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.

Technical Skills

Title Details Depth
Systems Ergonomics and Iterative Design Iterative methods and techniques to allocate and optimise the division of functions between the human, machine and organisational elements of IT systems and the functions themselves in terms of ergonomic impact. Systematic and iterative design of the physical and cognitive interfaces to create an effective user experience in a software system, product or service with attention paid to variety of locations and access devices employed by users. Aware of

Other Skills

Title Details Depth
Presentation Techniques Methods and techniques for delivering effective and accessible presentations, either face-to-face or online within various contexts and to a variety of audiences. Aware of

Training

Title Details
Investigation Techniques Investigation and elicitation techniques (such as interviews, workshops, observation, statistical analysis) to obtain complete and accurate information about business areas and systems of interest.
Information and Data Modelling Tools and techniques used to investigate, analyse and model the structure, relationships and use of data and information within an organisation.
Accessibility Methods and techniques that ensure that users with physical impairments or learning disorders are not disadvantaged by the system.
Security Awareness Tools and techniques to help users and employees understand the role they play in helping to combat information security breaches and for IT and security professionals to prevent and mitigate risk.

Professional Development Activity (PDA)

Title Details PDA Group
Deputising Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence. Broadening Activities
Job Shadowing and Special Assignments Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures. Broadening Activities
Gaining Knowledge of Employing Organisation Gaining basic knowledge of the employing organisation, its business, structure, culture, policies, products/services, operations and terminology. Increasing Knowledge
Gaining Knowledge of Surrounding Technical Areas Gaining knowledge of IT activities in employing organisation external to own function. Increasing Knowledge
Research Assignments Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management Increasing Knowledge
Involvement in Professional Body Activities Attending meetings, seminars and workshops organised by professional body and reading published material, such as journals and web content. Participation in Professional Activities

Qualification Components

Title Awarding Bodies
FEDIP Practitioner The Federation for Informatics Professionals
BCS Foundation Certificate in User Experience UX BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework Skills

Skill Level

Agile research practices

Agile delivery involves encouraging teams to build incrementally, test and iterate their work based on regular feedback and other useful data.

Working Agile research practices

You can:

  • understand and explain the benefits and limitations of agile working
  • design and conduct your research so the findings can be embedded into an agile workflow
  • understand and work with the different roles in a multidisciplinary digital team to plan and do user research

Analysis and synthesis

Analysis and insight involves examining, interpreting and analysing data to help make informed decisions.

Working Inclusive research

You can: understand the diversity of users of government services and the need to make services usable and accessible for everyone work with colleagues to include many kinds of users in appropriate research activities

Inclusive research

Incident management involves coordinating the response to incident reports, ensuring effective prioritisation, investigation and resolution.

Working Inclusive research

You can: understand the diversity of users of government services and the need to make services usable and accessible for everyone work with colleagues to include many kinds of users in appropriate research activities

Research management, leadership and assurance

Leadership and guidance involves providing effective leadership and management through team motivation, decision making, risk management, mediation and professional development

Working Research management, leadership and assurance

You can:

  • ensure research has a clearly defined scope and purpose
  • get advice or support from someone more experienced when you need help to ensure research is defined before it starts
  • build your understanding of good practice standards for user research
  • improve your practice through reflection and feedback

Stakeholder relationship management

Stakeholder relationship management involves managing stakeholder requirements and communications throughout a project, while remaining focused on the user needs.

Working Stakeholder relationship management

You can:

  • identify important stakeholders and communicate with them clearly and regularly
  • tailor communication to stakeholders' needs and work with them to build relationships, while also meeting user needs
  • build and reach consensus
  • work to improve stakeholder relationships, using evidence to explain decisions made

User research methods

User research involves methods to identify user needs and understand how users interact with a product or service.

Working User research methods

You can:

  • plan and conduct a user research project, with support
  • understand when to use basic user research methods and how to apply them correctly
  • effectively involve your team in research activities

User-centred practice and advocacy

User focus involves understanding the user needs to develop a detailed understanding of the problems that need to be solved.

Working User-centred practice and advocacy

You can:

  • describe and use a range of user-centred practices
  • advocate for the user by sharing research insights on user needs and changing user behaviour with your team

The Professional Body Responsible for this job family is BCS. This job role profile was created in collaboration with BCS, using Role Model Plus.

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