Research Ops, which stands for research operations, refers to the practice of applying operational rigour to research processes. By doing this, research teams can increase the efficiency, consistency, and impact of their research efforts. Organisations that conduct a lot of research, such as user research, market research, or data analysis, can benefit greatly from research ops. 

Research ops involves creating standardised research methodologies, implementing processes for collaboration and communication among research team members, and using tools and technologies to streamline data collection and analysis. In this article, we will explore the composition of a research ops team, how research ops teams grow, the optimization of research ops with an efficient tool ecosystem, and the importance of data security when onboarding a tool to your ecosystem.

What is Research Ops?

Research ops, or research operations, refers to the practice of applying operational rigour to research processes in order to increase the efficiency, consistency, and impact of research efforts. It involves creating standardised research methodologies, implementing processes for collaboration and communication among research team members, and using research tools and technologies to streamline data collection and analysis.

Research ops is particularly useful for organisations that conduct a lot of research. By applying operational best practices to these processes, research teams can improve the quality and speed of their research, leading to better outcomes and more effective decision-making.

Some examples of research ops in action might include:

• Developing standardised research templates and protocols to ensure consistency and reliability across research projects

• Implementing tools and technologies to automate or streamline data collection and analysis processes

• Creating processes for collaboration and communication between research team members, as well as with stakeholders such as product managers, designers, or executives

• Building a centralised repository of research insights and data to enable easier sharing and access across the organisation

• Establishing metrics and KPIs for research success, and tracking and reporting on these metrics over time.

Overall, research ops is a way to optimise and streamline research processes, leading to better outcomes and more efficient use of resources.

Research Ops vs Design Ops: What's the Difference?

Research ops and design ops are two fields that focus on improving the processes and workflows involved in research and design. While there is some overlap between these two fields, they have different areas of focus and require different skill sets.

Research Ops: Streamlining the Research Process

Research ops is concerned with managing and optimising the research process. This includes everything from participant recruitment and scheduling to data analysis and storage. The goal of research ops professionals is to ensure that researchers have the tools, resources, and support they need to conduct high-quality research efficiently and effectively.

Research ops professionals typically have a background in research, data analysis, or project management.

Design Ops: Improving the Design Process

Design ops is focused on improving the design process, from ideation to production. This includes managing design systems, tools, and workflows, as well as supporting collaboration and communication among design teams and other stakeholders. The goal of design ops professionals is to ensure that designers can work efficiently and effectively, producing high-quality work that meets the needs of users and the business. Design ops professionals often have experience in design, UX, or product management.

Overlap and Collaboration

While research ops and design ops have different areas of focus, there is some overlap between the two fields, especially when it comes to collaboration and communication. Research and design are often intertwined, and research can inform design decisions. As such, research ops professionals and design ops professionals may work closely together to ensure that research and design are integrated seamlessly.

Overall, both research ops and design ops are critical to ensuring that research and design processes are efficient, effective, and produce high-quality results. By streamlining processes, managing resources, and supporting collaboration, these two fields can help organisations to achieve their research and design goals.

When do you need to implement Research Ops?

Research Ops is used when conducting user research to improve the user experience of a product or service. It involves creating processes and systems that support researchers in conducting research more efficiently and effectively. Here are some circumstances when Research Ops is commonly used:

The Composition of a Research Ops Team

The composition of a research ops team can vary depending on the size and needs of the organisation, but typically, it includes individuals who specialise in research operations, data management, and collaboration

In the realm of research operations, there are various approaches to consider. Some individuals may find themselves supporting a team as a sole member, while larger organisations may have a complete research ops department with several roles and specialisations, such as program managers. These diverse structures often lead to different strategies for research ops.

In some instances, a person may serve as an assistant to a research team, taking on administrative tasks. However, they may not have the capacity to create a system or process to streamline their work due to their overwhelming workload. This entry-level or junior role is often an indication that research leadership is not yet mature. When there is no formalised research operations role, or someone is only responsible for administrative duties, the implementation of streamlined processes may be hindered.

How Research Ops Teams Grow: Patterns and Models as companies scale

Model 1

Research operations is a rapidly evolving field, but there are emerging patterns and models to follow. However, success depends on the company's commitment to research and the role of research in decision-making. In some cases, the design team takes on research responsibilities and hires a research lead to focus on operations. The research lead coaches and guides others, sets up processes and systems, and provides templates and tools. This model can jumpstart research operations in companies that are new to research or struggling to make it a priority.

This model is especially common in design teams that do not have any dedicated researchers and are conducting research themselves. By creating a research ops role, companies can ensure that their research is conducted consistently and efficiently, leading to more accurate and impactful insights

Model 2

Another common model for research operations is when a team struggles with recruitment and participant scheduling. This becomes a major pain point for the team and they seek to address it by hiring someone to take care of it for them or by implementing a more efficient system. This person may start out as a specialist in recruitment and scheduling, but as they become more familiar with the team's needs and processes, they may take on additional research operations projects to help set the team up for success. This approach can be particularly effective for teams that are looking to streamline their research operations and reduce administrative overhead.

Model 3

One of the key triggers for the need of research operations (research ops) is knowledge management. When managing a large research team, it can become overwhelming to keep track of all the information being gathered. This is where research ops comes in - by setting up processes and systems, teams can be more effective and ensure that information is being shared and built upon. This prevents repeated efforts and ensures that everyone is on the same page. Effective knowledge management is one of the key benefits of implementing research ops within an organisation.

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If the above approach resonates with your research objectives, please get in touch and we can set up a call with one of our Strategists to discuss your own specific research requirements when it comes to understanding the research ops. 

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