DesignOps Global Conference 2022

Presenter Profile: Andrea Barbarin: Andrea is experienced in collecting and analyzing highly sensitive qualitative and quantitative data to understand users’ experiences with data-driven technologies.  Through her role as the Research Practice Lead for the IBM Design Program Office, she has worked with the IBM Design community to map the IBM Design Research Operations Ecosystem and identify best practices. She has experience with and a passion for the ethical, equitable, and human-centered design of emerging technologies. As a licensed and experienced attorney (International Telecommunications), she is interested in the intersection between emerging digital technologies and policy/regulation.  Andrea has a PhD in Information (Human-Computer InteractionI) and is based in Michigan (United States).

Title: Research Operations Ecosystem Mapping in a world of emerging technologies

Outline: In this talk, Andrea and Maryann will introduce a process for documenting and planning Research Operations that supports the design of emerging information technologies. We will leverage existing Research Operations frameworks while considering the unique needs of working in the context of emerging information technologies, including the challenges of navigating new technological and legal landscapes, and effective multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination with cross-functional partners. We will share knowledge and learnings from our experience implementing this framework for an organization with products spanning hardware, firmware, and software for AI and Hybrid Cloud. This flexible and lightweight mapping exercise will provide the opportunity to practice applying established questions to document the as-is state of a Research Operations ecosystem in the context of emerging technologies. Participants will walk away with an artifact that will help them understand for themselves and communicate to partners what Research Ops is, how multidisciplinary stakeholders are interconnected, and the status of Research Operations efforts.  While the focus of the workshop will be on emerging technologies, the process is also useful for Research Operations leaders working with established technologies.

Company Website: https://www.ibm.com/design/research/