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User Research Baseline Metrics
What are User Research Baseline Metrics?
User Research Baseline Metrics are the initial set of measurements collected at the start of a user research study. They represent the current state of user behavior, performance, or satisfaction before any changes or interventions are made to a product or service.
Synonyms: initial user metrics, starting user data, baseline user measurements, user research starting metrics
Why User Research Baseline Metrics Matter
Baseline metrics provide a clear starting point to compare against after implementing design changes or new features. They help identify how users currently interact with a product and highlight areas needing improvement.
How Baseline Metrics are Collected
These metrics are gathered through various user research methods such as surveys, usability tests, or analytics data. For example, measuring task completion time or error rates before redesigning a user interface.
Examples of Baseline Metrics
Common baseline metrics include user satisfaction scores, task success rates, time on task, and error frequency. Tracking these helps teams understand the impact of their design decisions over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between baseline metrics and benchmarks? Baseline metrics capture the current state within your own product, while benchmarks compare your metrics against industry standards or competitors.
- How often should baseline metrics be updated? Baseline metrics are typically updated at the start of each new research phase or after significant product changes.
- Can baseline metrics be qualitative? Yes, qualitative data like user feedback can also serve as baseline information to understand user attitudes and pain points.
