Hi, I'm Aaron Ackerman.
I've spent 12+ years conducting research & delivering high-impact insights while growing UX Operations for physical products, CPG retailers, enterprise software, & omnichannel service organizations.
As a mixed-methods researcher, I am comfortable leading both Qualitative and Quantitative end-to-end research of all types - domestic or global.
B.S. Applied Cognition
B.S. Anthropology
M.S. Human Factors & Ergonomics
Visual Design
Visual Design
UI Design
SAMPLE RESEARCH EXCERPTS
KPI DEVELOPMENT
How do you differentiate? Your product is unique!
Therefore some benchmarks should be too.
Establishing a respected internal KPI takes many steps. Examples I have implemented on a quarterly basis:
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Trust, Reliability, & Loyalty
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Enjoyment | FUNDex
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Expectations <-> Outcome
Expanding toolbelt of technical platform proficiency
with adaptability joyously embraced.
DESIGN RESEARCH
A Human-Centered Design organization embeds research principles within design systems and iteration cycles.
In any design & development cycle at least one element of UXR can be implemented. Even in 2-week sprints.
If time does not allow for recruitment & analysis, workshop facilitation is a great way to explore CX-oriented models.
DESIGN-THINKING WORKSHOP FACILITATION
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Discovery, SWAT, Competitive Landscape
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Empathy-Maps & Empathy Building Toolkits
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Prioritization Exercises
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Analytical Democratization
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Reverse Brainstorming
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Heuristic Frameworks
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Storyboarding
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S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
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Concept Map
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Fishbone Diagram
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Five Why’s
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T-Charts
UX RESEARCHER
Reported Directly to Aaron
"Having worked under his leadership at Albertsons, here's what I've learned about Aaron:
1. His research knowledge and skills are best in class. Whenever research requests and projects come in, he creates a solid game plan and gets it done.
2. He's an invaluable asset to a UX team. Whether it's through pointing stakeholders to the right resources or helping them interpret the data, he has always helped the org better understand who it is we're serving.
3. He's a genuine advocate for the users. He's done so much in-depth work that has guided important product and design decisions--decisions that brought (and continue to bring) our users incredible value."
SENIOR MANAGER
Aaron reported to Matt
"As Aaron's manager, I found him to be an invaluable asset. When faced with unworkable schedules and limited resources, he meets challenges with alacrity. He is self-motivated and a true customer champion.
In a siloed environment, he created and maintained cross team, cross org opportunities. Where we had gaps in our metrics and KPIs, he was able to collaboratively develop measurable knowledge of our customers. He understands org priors and how to navigate corporate barriers."
DIRECTOR, PLAYER RESEARCH
Aaron reported to Scott
"Aaron was a pleasure to work with because he is highly self-motivated, very passionate about UX (Design and Research), and highly skilled at bringing the user into product design and development. He has a vast knowledge of research methods, both qual and quant, and knows how to leverage them to drive strategic and tactical product development impact.
Aside from his strong UX acumen, Aaron was a great teammate as well. He was always willing to collaborate with his fellow researchers and product development teams and be flexible when project scope changes occurred (which we know in tech happens frequently).
I’d definitely work with Aaron again if the opportunity presented itself!"
SR. DIRECTOR, CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Aaron reported to Jeff
"I want to give a shout-out to Aaron for anyone who's looking to hire a highly accomplished and super smart user researcher who also has market research skills!
Aaron is well versed in multiple methodologies, he's agile when it comes to running the actual research...and will look at the data in multiple ways to find the "story" that will drive actionable insights for his stakeholders.
He's also a team player who will happily provide feedback and ideas for other researchers. Hire him!"
DIRECTOR OF CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Worked on the same team with Aaron
"I worked with Aaron during our time on the Big Fish Player Insights team and can easily say that he is one of the most ingenious people I have had the pleasure to work with.
One of the ways that I was always impressed with Aaron was his ability to think outside the box and divergent thinking. Rather than being satisfied with using an outdated template or an unoptimized study design, he was quick to employee new and creative approaches. He would then share these new gains to the rest of the team so that we could all learn from it and continue to grow together. This is something I found admirable and was highly valuable for the team.
On top of all that, Aaron is a highly proficient and experienced researcher – able to design, facilitate, lead, and present across a vast variety of methodologies. His diverse skills and vast history in research put him in a position few other researchers can match.
With all that in mind, one of Aarons best qualities is he is an awesome guy and great teammate. Even though we worked in different states, it often did not feel that way because of his vibrant personality and charisma.
With all of these traits, Aaron is undoubtedly a boon for any team he is on!"
SENIOR MANAGER
Sarah managed Aaron directly
"Aaron is an integral part of any team. I can always rely on him for any task, big or small, and know that no detail will go overlooked.
Aaron is very knowledgeable on the subject of Human Factors and Ergonomics, and his expertise shows in client conversations and the thoughtful insights he includes in his research reports.
YouEye went through many changes over the years, but Aaron was always a consistent and necessary force: driving strategy, leading projects, and maintaining the foundation that was the research department."
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Worked with Aaron but on different teams.
"I have the pleasure of working with Aaron on multiple projects from different industries. He is enthusiastic, hard-working, intelligent, and highly motivated problem solver with extremely strong analytical skills and deep knowledge of research methods that he applies across industries / verticals. His detail to attention from his research findings on all the projects are very useful, highly constructive, extremely thorough and very insightful.
Aaron is broad-minded, multi-skilled, and has diverse experience in different areas that he applies to various verticals to meet the clients many needs, this results in presentation that are informational/constructive to C level executives and everyone in-between. He is inquisitive and is always striving to learn more which keeps him at the top of Research and Analytical insights so he stays fresh in the industry.
He has a great ability to successfully focus on many tasks at once with fine detail and is a very easy going person to work with. Aaron exemplifies a detailed multi-method researcher and Analyst."
