Building Agile, Cost-Efficient Insight Teams: The Power of the Lean Approach

Li Jin’s influential article on the era of the Unbundled Work, published at the start of the pandemic, talked about the rise of the creator economy and the potential for Vertical Specific Marketplaces. At InsightGig, we saw the potential of applying its thesis to Market Research Teams.

As we move into 2024, we believe there is a compelling need to unbundle work from the constraints of employment. And we are convinced that Insight Teams are in a highly favorable position to adopt this approach.

In this article, we distill our learnings from working with Insight Teams into actionable for successfully adopting the Lean Approach.

Why Insight Teams Are Ideally Suited to a Lean Approach
Insight Teams, with their diverse mix of researchers, analysts, storytellers, data scientists, and project managers, naturally embody a multi-dimensional structure. This diversity, combined with the innate inclination of insight practitioners to operate as “creators,” positions them perfectly to embrace the concept of lean, unbundled teams. This approach allows insight organizations to stay flexible, control costs, and ensure the right combination of skills for each project.

What a Lean Insight Team Looks Like
In the landscape of market research, the concept of an unbundled, flexible team starts with a designated “insight owner” or “insight custodian.” This individual or small team makes the crucial decisions, determining what research is conducted, how it is executed, and if it meets specifications. The advantage lies in creating outcome-focused task forces with the necessary skills for each unique project.

Practical Considerations for Building a Successful Lean Insight Team

1. Stay goal driven & outcome focused: Clearly define the purpose and expected outcomes to provide direction to fluid, dynamic teams.

2. Spend the time to onboard: Comprehensive onboarding even for temporary team members fosters a sense of ownership and ensures successful project delivery.

3. Create repeatable workflows: Establishing consistent workflows and artefacts aids in onboarding and provides a reference for team operations.

4. Foster a startup-like collaboration: Maintain a connection to the project’s purpose by sharing ideas, decisions, and progress within the team.

5. Build a Roster of Favored Experts: Access to a wide range of experts and a flexible relationship with them facilitate seamless integration into different projects.

6. Rely on technology: Support the team with the right technology and productivity platforms to facilitate remote collaboration and allow for asynchronous working styles and fractional time commitments.

As the market research industry evolves, adopting a Lean approach becomes a catalyst for agility and innovation. We hope the principles outlined here provide a starting point for building successful Lean Insight Teams while recognizing the uniqueness of each team’s dynamics.

Talk to our team today to understand how you can start building your Lean Insight Team.

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This is a revised version of an article originally published on Vidya’s Linkedin.