UX Researcher & Designer

Generate user personas from research data, create journey maps, plan usability tests, and synthesize research findings into actionable design recommendations.

Table of Contents

• Trigger Terms
• Workflows
• Workflow 1: Generate User Persona
• Workflow 2: Create Journey Map
• Workflow 3: Plan Usability Test
• Workflow 4: Synthesize Research
• Tool Reference
• Quick Reference Tables
• Knowledge Base

Trigger Terms

Use this skill when you need to:

• "create user persona"
• "generate persona from data"
• "build customer journey map"
• "map user journey"
• "plan usability test"
• "design usability study"
• "analyze user research"
• "synthesize interview findings"
• "identify user pain points"
• "define user archetypes"
• "calculate research sample size"
• "create empathy map"
• "identify user needs"

Workflows

Workflow 1: Generate User Persona

Situation: You have user data (analytics, surveys, interviews) and need to create a research-backed persona.

Steps:

1. Prepare user data

Required format (JSON):

```json

[

{

"user_id": "user_1",

"age": 32,

"usage_frequency": "daily",

"features_used": ["dashboard", "reports", "export"],

"primary_device": "desktop",

"usage_context": "work",

"tech_proficiency": 7,

"pain_points": ["slow loading", "confusing UI"]

}

]

```

1. Run persona generator

```bash

# Human-readable output

python scripts/persona_generator.py

# JSON output for integration

python scripts/persona_generator.py json

```

1. Review generated components

| Component | What to Check |

|-----------|---------------|

| Archetype | Does it match the data patterns? |

| Demographics | Are they derived from actual data? |

| Goals | Are they specific and actionable? |

| Frustrations | Do they include frequency counts? |

| Design implications | Can designers act on these? |

1. Validate persona

• Show to 3-5 real users: "Does this sound like you?"
• Cross-check with support tickets
• Verify against analytics data

1. Reference: See references/persona-methodology.md for validity criteria

Workflow 2: Create Journey Map

Situation: You need to visualize the end-to-end user experience for a specific goal.

Steps:

1. Define scope

| Element | Description |

|---------|-------------|

| Persona | Which user type |

| Goal | What they're trying to achieve |

| Start | Trigger that begins journey |

| End | Success criteria |

| Timeframe | Hours/days/weeks |

1. Gather journey data

Sources:

• User interviews (ask "walk me through...")
• Session recordings
• Analytics (funnel, drop-offs)
• Support tickets

1. Map the stages

Typical B2B SaaS stages:

```

Awareness → Evaluation → Onboarding → Adoption → Advocacy

```

1. Fill in layers for each stage

```

Stage: [Name]

├── Actions: What does user do?

├── Touchpoints: Where do they interact?

├── Emotions: How do they feel? (1-5)

├── Pain Points: What frustrates them?

└── Opportunities: Where can we improve?

```

1. Identify opportunities

Priority Score = Frequency × Severity × Solvability

1. Reference: See references/journey-mapping-guide.md for templates

Workflow 3: Plan Usability Test

Situation: You need to validate a design with real users.

Steps:

1. Define research questions

Transform vague goals into testable questions:

| Vague | Testable |

|-------|----------|

| "Is it easy to use?" | "Can users complete checkout in <3 min?" |

| "Do users like it?" | "Will users choose Design A or B?" |

| "Does it make sense?" | "Can users find settings without hints?" |

1. Select method

| Method | Participants | Duration | Best For |

|--------|--------------|----------|----------|

| Moderated remote | 5-8 | 45-60 min | Deep insights |

| Unmoderated remote | 10-20 | 15-20 min | Quick validation |

| Guerrilla | 3-5 | 5-10 min | Rapid feedback |

1. Design tasks

Good task format:

```

SCENARIO: "Imagine you're planning a trip to Paris..."

GOAL: "Book a hotel for 3 nights in your budget."

SUCCESS: "You see the confirmation page."

```

Task progression: Warm-up → Core → Secondary → Edge case → Free exploration

1. Define success metrics

| Metric | Target |

|--------|--------|

| Completion rate | >80% |

| Time on task | <2× expected |

| Error rate | <15% |

| Satisfaction | >4/5 |

1. Prepare moderator guide

• Think-aloud instructions
• Non-leading prompts
• Post-task questions

1. Reference: See references/usability-testing-frameworks.md for full guide

Workflow 4: Synthesize Research

Situation: You have raw research data (interviews, surveys, observations) and need actionable insights.

Steps:

1. Code the data

Tag each data point:

• [GOAL] - What they want to achieve
• [PAIN] - What frustrates them
• [BEHAVIOR] - What they actually do
• [CONTEXT] - When/where they use product
• [QUOTE] - Direct user words

1. Cluster similar patterns

```

User A: Uses daily, advanced features, shortcuts

User B: Uses daily, complex workflows, automation

User C: Uses weekly, basic needs, occasional

Cluster 1: A, B (Power Users)

Cluster 2: C (Casual User)

```

1. Calculate segment sizes

| Cluster | Users | % | Viability |

|---------|-------|---|-----------|

| Power Users | 18 | 36% | Primary persona |

| Business Users | 15 | 30% | Primary persona |

| Casual Users | 12 | 24% | Secondary persona |

1. Extract key findings

For each theme:

• Finding statement
• Supporting evidence (quotes, data)
• Frequency (X/Y participants)
• Business impact
• Recommendation

1. Prioritize opportunities

| Factor | Score 1-5 |

|--------|-----------|

| Frequency | How often does this occur? |

| Severity | How much does it hurt? |

| Breadth | How many users affected? |

| Solvability | Can we fix this? |

1. Reference: See references/persona-methodology.md for analysis framework

Tool Reference

persona_generator.py

Generates data-driven personas from user research data.

Sample Output:

============================================================
PERSONA: Alex the Power User
============================================================

📝 A daily user who primarily uses the product for work purposes

Archetype: Power User
Quote: "I need tools that can keep up with my workflow"

👤 Demographics:
  • Age Range: 25-34
  • Location Type: Urban
  • Tech Proficiency: Advanced

🎯 Goals & Needs:
  • Complete tasks efficiently
  • Automate workflows
  • Access advanced features

😤 Frustrations:
  • Slow loading times (14/20 users)
  • No keyboard shortcuts
  • Limited API access

💡 Design Implications:
  → Optimize for speed and efficiency
  → Provide keyboard shortcuts and power features
  → Expose API and automation capabilities

📈 Data: Based on 45 users
    Confidence: High

Archetypes Generated:

Output Components:

Quick Reference Tables

Research Method Selection

Persona Confidence Levels

Usability Issue Severity

Interview Question Types

Knowledge Base

Detailed reference guides in references/:

Validation Checklist

Persona Quality

• [ ] Based on 20+ users (minimum)
• [ ] At least 2 data sources (quant + qual)
• [ ] Specific, actionable goals
• [ ] Frustrations include frequency counts
• [ ] Design implications are specific
• [ ] Confidence level stated

Journey Map Quality

• [ ] Scope clearly defined (persona, goal, timeframe)
• [ ] Based on real user data, not assumptions
• [ ] All layers filled (actions, touchpoints, emotions)
• [ ] Pain points identified per stage
• [ ] Opportunities prioritized

Usability Test Quality

• [ ] Research questions are testable
• [ ] Tasks are realistic scenarios, not instructions
• [ ] 5+ participants per design
• [ ] Success metrics defined
• [ ] Findings include severity ratings

Research Synthesis Quality

• [ ] Data coded consistently
• [ ] Patterns based on 3+ data points
• [ ] Findings include evidence
• [ ] Recommendations are actionable
• [ ] Priorities justified