4 practical tips for navigating the unpredictability of modern research
In a perfect world, research strategy would be meticulously planned months in advance. Every project would have a defined scope, allowing teams to allocate bandwidth and resources efficiently. Strategic planning is undeniably a cornerstone of any successful research plan as it drives consistent research habits, reduces planning overhead, accelerates insights delivery, enhances team collaboration, and frees up time for truly strategic initiatives.
But reality rarely aligns with this ideal scenario. Research teams are constantly tasked with needing to respond to the unexpected. In fact, 52% of respondents from Alida’s customer community reported that they operate more on an ad hoc basis in order to meet urgent stakeholder needs, often forcing them to put their carefully pre-planned initiatives on hold.
So how can research teams balance the need for strategic planning with the reality of unplanned requests? The answer lies in planning for flexibility, designing a research strategy that is robust enough to guide priorities yet agile enough to respond to the unexpected. Here are some practical tips for balancing planned and unplanned research:
- Establish Regular Planning Sessions.
Conducting a planning session at least once a year is critical, with quarterly check-ins to ensure priorities remain aligned with your organization’s goals. Planning sessions will help your team and stakeholders align on goals and be on the same page about the direction of your research strategy. These touchpoints can also serve as a great opportunity to highlight the importance of customer feedback in guiding innovation and business decisions. - Prioritize Your Goals and Schedule Projects Thoughtfully.
Once business priorities are defined, rank them and plot them on your calendar, taking into account deadlines, key events, and potential placeholders for unplanned research activities. For example, if your team identifies five key priorities and each project takes one to two months, reserve placeholders for the ad hoc projects that inevitably arise. Planning for these unplanned projects in advance ensures flexibility without losing sight of your key business goals. - Embrace a “Rolling Research” Approach.
Rolling research, which normally involves regular scheduled research activities, continuous feedback loops with product teams, and standardized activity protocols, can help fill gaps created by unforeseen stakeholder requests. A continuous research approach ensures teams and stakeholders are constantly up-to-date on customer needs and insights, ensuring that updated customer insights are always available to support business decisions. - Choose The Right Research Platform Provider.
Choosing a research platform provider that supports flexibility can be a game changer for your research strategy. Look for partners that offer comprehensive support services to help adapt quickly to changing market conditions and evolving stakeholder needs. Cost structure is also equally important. Providers that don’t charge per research activity or offer flexible packaging options for unplanned studies can prevent unexpected projects from becoming overly expensive, while still ensuring guidance and resources are available when agility is required. Learn more about Alida’s platform and managed services offerings at https://www.alida.com/services.
The Bottom Line: Planning for the Unplanned Is The Key To Research Success.
The reality of the modern researcher is having to deal with a dynamic landscape where teams must balance strategic initiatives with urgent, unplanned needs. By scheduling regular planning sessions, prioritizing thoughtfully, adopting rolling research practices, and selecting the right platform provider, research teams can achieve both consistency and agility. Success comes not from perfect planning, but from creatively planning for the unplanned.
