Future-Proofing Your Research Function
One of the clearest signals from the 2025 State of User Research Report is that research teams are being asked to do more with less. Budgets are tightening, junior hires are slowing, and demand for insights hasn’t let up. For research managers, this creates a tough balancing act: what work should stay in-house, and what should be outsourced? There’s no single answer, but here’s a framework we often share with clients:
Build in-house when…
Research is core to your company’s competitive advantage.
You need deep institutional knowledge of your product, brand, or customer.
Your team is developing ongoing programs (e.g., continuous discovery, regular tracking).
Buy outside expertise when…
You’re facing bandwidth crunches that would otherwise delay delivery.
You need specialized skills or methods your team doesn’t use every day.
Neutrality matters — for example, testing sensitive experiences where an outside voice ensures candor.
Recruiting is complex, and you’d benefit from a partner who can manage participant sourcing.
At Inquisitive Insights, we help research managers extend their impact by taking on projects that would otherwise stall. Whether it’s standing up an exploratory study during a hiring freeze, or providing methodological expertise for a tricky mixed-methods challenge, we’re designed to flex with your needs.
Why this matters now: There are many unknowns about what research needs and tools will look like in the future — but the organizations that thrive will be those that can stay resilient. That means knowing when to keep work inside, and when to bring in a partner who can help you deliver results without overextending your team. Want to have the right partner at the ready? Let’s talk.
