Strategic UX Researcher • Systems Thinking • Mixed Methods • AI/LLM Evaluation
Open to opportunities

I map uncertainty into research-driven decisions
teams can ship—especially when AI changes the rules.

I specialize in early-stage, pre-alignment work—where stakeholders disagree, data is incomplete, and the product spans platforms. I lead mixed-methods research to define the real problem, build frameworks that clarify tradeoffs, and translate insights into prototypes, evaluation plans, and executive narratives that unlock action.

How I operate
I start with
the decision, not the deliverable
What must leadership decide next week? That becomes the research plan.
I’m strongest in
systems + cross-platform constraints
Mobile/Web/Desktop behaviors, policy + billing + UX, and edge-case rigor.
I push for
evaluation + measurement
Rubrics, quality bars, and experiments—so “helpfulness” is measurable.
Mixed methods Research strategy Ambiguity mapping Futures / scenarios AI/LLM eval & rubrics Prototyping + coding Exec storytelling
Evidence Customer risk → policy → UX
Reduced escalation-driven friction and helped protect $4.5M/month by redesigning high-risk billing guardrails, decision points, and customer communications—grounded in journey research, edge-case analysis, and stakeholder alignment.
Systems thinking + research → measurable outcomes
Manisha Varma portrait
Research-led • Systems-first
Research domains
Telecom • Billing & risk • Accessibility • SaaS workflows
Typical outputs
Research plans • Frameworks • Journey maps • Concept prototypes • Evaluation rubrics • Exec narratives
What I’m known for
Turning messy constraints into crisp decisions (without losing nuance)
Methods
Interviews • Diary • Concept tests • Surveys • Log analysis
AI work
Rubrics • Quality bars • Failure taxonomy • Human-in-loop eval
Strategic research value (not just deliverables)

What I’m Hired to Solve

I take ambiguous, cross-platform problems—where policy, systems, and human behavior collide— and turn them into research-backed direction. My work is strongest early: defining the right questions, mapping uncertainty, and giving stakeholders a confident path forward through insights, prototypes, and evaluation plans.

Research strategy Pre-alignment planning • scope → questions → decision points
Systems thinking Cross-platform constraints • state models • edge cases • guardrails
AI-forward evaluation Quality rubrics • failure taxonomy • human-in-loop tests (where relevant)
YOU GET
Clarity in ambiguous spaces
What matters, what doesn’t, and what to test next—before alignment exists.
YOU GET
Research that changes direction
Insights translated into frameworks, prototypes, and recommendations stakeholders can use.
YOU GET
Cross-discipline alignment
I bring PM, Design, Eng, Data, and Ops along—without watering down the truth.

High-risk decisions in revenue + trust flows

Billing • payments • collections • account changes

I lead research where small UX breakdowns become bad debt, escalations, churn, and distrust. I map the failure states, clarify “why it happens,” and design guardrails + comms that reduce customer anxiety and protect the business.

Failure-state mapping Risk & policy translation Error recovery
$0
risk protected (verify timeframe)
escalations + confusion

Complex systems disguised as “UX issues”

Rules • states • ownership • cross-channel behavior

Many teams ship inconsistent experiences because the system lacks a shared model. I create the missing “source of truth” by combining research + technical constraints into state diagrams, guardrails, and requirements that hold up across web, mobile, and support channels.

State modeling Edge-case rigor Cross-platform coherence
0
clear system model
consistent decisions

Future-proofing experiences as technology shifts

Concepts • scenarios • evaluation plans • quality bars

When teams explore new capabilities (including AI), ambiguity explodes. I use scenario modeling, rapid prototyping, and clear evaluation criteria to identify what’s helpful, what fails, and what should be invested in next—before it becomes expensive.

Scenario modeling Quality rubrics Experiment design
faster learning
clearer investment
How I work
If you need someone who can run strategic research ahead of alignment—and translate ambiguity into decisions—start here.

Selected work

T-shaped UX: Analysis + Research + Design

I don’t just “design screens.” I analyze what’s breaking, validate the why with research, and design shippable flows with clear rules, guardrails, and measurable outcomes—especially in complex, high-risk systems.

Data + CX analysis User research Systems thinking Prototyping Edge cases + guardrails
Secure Text thumbnail Secure App Communication

Secure Text

Designed an experience that helps users communicate securely with clarity and confidence.

What I ledDiscovery → research → wireframes
MethodsJourney mapping, interviews, prototyping
OutcomeIncreased confidence in secure behavior
Threat modeling UX flows Prototype validation
OneButton PIN thumbnail Best Paper Award · MobileHCI 2022

OneButton PIN

Single-button authentication for blind and low-vision users to reduce eavesdropping and improve accessibility.

What I ledResearch → prototyping → evaluation
MethodsDiary study, haptic patterns, comparative testing
OutcomeFaster authentication (−4s)
Accessibility Haptics Experiment design
Autopay flexibility thumbnail Behavior + systems

Autopay Flexibility & Failure Recovery

Designed a safer way to let customers choose autopay dates—without increasing support volume.

What I ledBlueprint + edge cases + UX flows
MethodsFailure-mode analysis, prototype tests
Decision impactRules + guardrails aligned
Service blueprint Recovery states Guardrails
International roaming thresholds thumbnail Regulated, high risk

International Roaming Guardrails

Reduced bill-shock risk by redesigning thresholds, warnings, and payment guardrails.

What I ledOpportunity framing + validation
MethodsScenario research, concept tests
OutcomeFewer escalations (targeted)
Guardrails Concept tests Policy constraints
Workflows branching thumbnail Automation + systems

Automate Complex Workflows with Workflows

Designed patterns that make branching rules learnable, predictable, and hard to misconfigure.

What I ledDesign sprint + prototyping
MethodsSprint facilitation, prototyping, validation
Decision impactClearer rules, fewer mistakes
Rules UX Patterns Prototype tests

Available for Senior Product / UX / Research roles

Want a designer who can untangle complexity and ship clarity?

If your product has messy workflows, high-stakes customer moments, or accessibility gaps, I’ll bring research-led decisions, crisp storytelling, and systems thinking to move your team faster.

Reply within 24 hours EST (US) • Remote-friendly Research • Design systems • Workshops

Prefer async? Send the role link + what you’re hiring for — I’ll reply with relevant projects.

Mentorship

I mentor on ADPList — portfolio, interviews, and systems-thinking.

If you’re trying to level up your UX/Product design work, I focus on what actually moves the needle: strong problem framing, defensible decisions, cleaner stories, and work that survives real constraints.

📁 Portfolio teardown
🧠 Case study storytelling
🧩 Systems + edge cases
🎯 Interview prep