Building a UX Research Team from Scratch: A Strategic Guide

By Philip Burgess – UX Research Leader

Whether you're the first UX researcher at a startup or tasked with scaling a research function in a growing organization, building a UX research team from scratch is both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s not just about hiring—it’s about laying the foundation for a practice that delivers strategic value, drives product decisions, and champions the voice of the user.

Let’s walk through the key steps to build a high-impact UX research team from the ground up.

1. Define the Mission and Scope

Before hiring anyone, clarify the purpose of UX research in your organization:

• Will the team focus on generative research (discovering user needs)?

• Or evaluative research (testing designs and usability)?

• Will it support all product teams, or embed within specific squads?

A clear mission helps you prioritize roles, methods, and workflows.

2. Apply a Research Mindset to the Role Itself

As Ori Dar suggests in UXinsight’s guide, treat the creation of the research function like a research project:

• Define your goals: What value will research bring?

• Ask questions: Where does research fit in workflows?

• Test hypotheses: What methods and processes will work best here?

This mindset helps you build a thoughtful, scalable foundation.

3. Hire the Right People

According to User Interviews, effective teams share six conditions: real team, compelling direction, enabling structure, supportive context, competent coaching, and the right people.

When hiring:

• Look for methodological diversity (qualitative and quantitative)

• Prioritize collaboration and communication skills

• Consider domain expertise relevant to your product

Start small—1–2 researchers can make a big impact if well-placed.

4. Build Processes and Infrastructure

Operationalizing research is key to scaling:

• Create templates for research plans, consent forms, and reports

• Set up a repository for storing and sharing insights

• Define intake and prioritization processes for research requests

Tools like Dovetail, Notion, and Airtable can help streamline operations.

5. Integrate with Cross-Functional Teams

UX research thrives when embedded in product development:

• Assign researchers to product squads or initiatives

• Host regular share-outs and synthesis workshops

• Translate findings into actionable insights for designers, PMs, and engineers

Early collaboration builds trust and ensures research is used—not just read.

6. Measure and Communicate Impact

To secure long-term support, show how research drives results:

• Track adoption of recommendations

• Highlight product improvements tied to research

• Share success stories with leadership

Use dashboards or quarterly reports to keep stakeholders informed.

Final Thoughts

Building a UX research team from scratch is more than assembling talent—it’s about creating a culture of curiosity, empathy, and evidence-based decision-making. With a clear mission, thoughtful hiring, and strong collaboration, your team can become a strategic asset that shapes products users love.