More about Paul
Areas of excellence in UX research:
Full-spectrum UX research is what we bring to the table. Mix-methods, qualitative and quantitative UX research approaches are our core competencies for formulating user insight. Our work with upfront, discovery-oriented generative research helps teams uncover unmet user needs and significant long-term business opportunities. For example, in-the-field ethnographic interviews, large-scale data analysis on existing user behavior and/or feedback, or tracking emerging themes through various real-time projects. While implementation-focused, evaluative research keeps the lights on 💡, and delivers more immediate user and business value. This may look like iterative unmoderated user studies, prototype testing (varying levels of fidelity), or detailed tracking and analysis of user actions in a particular experience path.
Furthermore, we're adept at partnerships across multi-disciplinary stakeholders such as: product, design, engineering, marketing, operations, data science, research, and leadership. We find these relationships paramount to our value-creation process. Partnering closely with key decision-makers crafts the research objectives and provides an outlet for testing new ideas / learnings. As always, we appreciate a proactive team of diverse backgrounds and positive mindsets 😊.
UX research tools and techniques:
Qualitative research • generative research • ethnographic interviews • contextual inquiries • evaluative research • workshop planning / facilitation • RITE method • persona creation • concept development • illustration • storyboarding • storytelling • rapid prototyping • usability testing • unmoderated studies • moderated user interviews • tree tests • card sorts • eye tracking • quantitative research • data analytics • executive communication • journey mapping • structured synthesis • ideation • business strategy • data visualization • having fun 😃
Personal pursuits that fuel me:
- Spending time with family
- Enjoying outdoor sports - kitesurfing, surfing, etc.
- Reading science fiction - Heinlein, Asimov, Le Guin, etc.
- Playing musical instruments - bass, guitar, etc.
Our principles and values:
- Product design turbocharger 🚗
- Lean and iterative
- Advocate of change
- User-centered design approach
- Passionate, patient, positive, and persistent
- Support insights with data
- Actionable recommendations
- Standardized process and practices
- Visceral, stand-alone share-outs
- Partnership-oriented
- Curious and empathetic
Mission:
Turbocharging product design with user insight, at the speed of business.
More about Paul Sheetz - Lead UX researcher
"My journey in UX research has culminated in our UX research superpower, as described in the video 👆 above... the ability to synthesize large amount of qual and quant data into succinct, meaningful user needs and themes. Then, effectively disseminating these within a team or organization as actionable recommendations. I consider this synthesis superpower to be a key competitive advantage. It's an area of continued focus in my work with others."
Paul operates with the mentality that in order to deliver maximum organizational value, user insight must be provided on two levels. The primary goal is to inform the immediate / near-term product experience. The secondary goal is to inform the long-term, strategic opportunities beyond any one individual product. This doesn't necessarily have to happen all at once, but it's two sides of the same coin. Both need attention and energy.
If you're interested in learning more about our thoughts and perspectives on UX research, then check out our articles on UX research best practices. We cover numerous topics that explore nuances of UXR along with specific industry examples of UX research. Lastly, feel free to See Paul's résumé / curriculum-vitae (CV) if you need it for any reason.
Thanks for checking us out! 🤙
Best practices articles:
5-phase UX Research Project Guide (+bonus) 📌
Templates for running UXR projects 🧰
12 frameworks to assist in Data Analysis 🔎
7 components of compelling Insight Themes 🤯
Top-10 reasons for unmoderated research 🙌
Testimonials:
We greatly value partnering with others. UXR is uniquely positioned to collaborate across departments in a constructive way. Here's what colleagues had to say:
