# Research, ethics, accessibility and adoption infusions

*Platform Strategy Designer Study Guide · Leveraging Adjacent Roles/Skills · Last updated November 2, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer/leveraging-adjacent-roles-skills/research-ethics-accessibility-and-adoption-infusions*

Which outside knowledge a vision needs and when to bring it in: internal and desk research, the questions and methods for primary research, role-based ethical questions when roles are missing, accessibility champions, VPATs and inclusive research, and the training, communication and sponsor support that drive adoption.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Strategy Designer
- Exam section: Leveraging Adjacent Roles/Skills
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, determine the knowledge and skill infusions needed in the creation of a vision.

## What the exam expects

- Plan internal research (who to involve, including maintainers) and desk research (judging reports, studying analogous industries) before primary research.
- Brainstorm what the team still needs to know, including embedded expertise and technical constraints, and match question types to quantitative or qualitative methods.
- Bring role-specific ethical questions into an AI vision, even when roles are missing, and bring in a user researcher when customer values were assumed.
- Infuse accessibility expertise through a champion, a correct reading of VPATs, and accessible, inclusive research.
- Build adoption expertise into the vision: training strategy, phased communication plan, early adopters and an engaged sponsor.
- Key terms: **desk research** (background gathered from outside sources before primary research); **qualitative methods** (for "why" and "how does it feel" questions); **accessibility champion** (any role acting as liaison to accessibility experts); **VPAT** (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template); **communication plan** (messages timed pre-launch, launch and post-launch).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adjacent experts named in the exam guide | Visual identity (brand, at key moments), business (viability), technology (feasibility) | [Platform Strategy Designer Exam Guide](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005298981&language=en_US&type=1), [Analyze and Narrow Solution Concepts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/strategic-vision-creation/analyze-and-narrow-solution-concepts), [Assemble a Diverse Project Team](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/challenge-framing-and-scoping/assemble-a-diverse-project-team) |
| Internal participants to consider | Decision-makers, influencers, sponsors, builders, marketers, knowledge-holders, maintainers | [Plan Initial Project Research](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/research-for-design-strategy/plan-initial-project-research) |
| External reports | Trust the source, judge findings, turn doubts into customer questions | [Plan Initial Project Research](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/research-for-design-strategy/plan-initial-project-research) |
| Missing ethical roles | Wear multiple hats; seek external expertise | [Understand the Ethical Use of Technology](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence/understand-the-ethical-use-of-technology) |
| Assumed customer values | Reach out to a user researcher | [Understand the Ethical Use of Technology](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence/understand-the-ethical-use-of-technology) |
| VPAT | Point-in-time statement, no guarantee | [Champion Accessibility at Your Company](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accessibility-basics/champion-accessibility-at-your-company) |
| Key to adoption | Answering "What's in it for me?" | [Create Your Training Strategy and Communication Plan](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-training-and-motivation/create-your-training-strategy-and-communication-plan) |
| Sponsor engagement | Throughout deployment, not just at the beginning | [Create Your Training Strategy and Communication Plan](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-training-and-motivation/create-your-training-strategy-and-communication-plan) |

## Check yourself

- Why should a team look inside the organization before primary research?
- When should desk research map competitors' offerings and messages?
- Which tools does the page name for auditing a product after receiving its VPAT?
- What belongs in post-launch communication?

## Sources

- [Plan Initial Project Research](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/research-for-design-strategy/plan-initial-project-research)
- [Understand the Ethical Use of Technology](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence/understand-the-ethical-use-of-technology)
- [Champion Accessibility at Your Company](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accessibility-basics/champion-accessibility-at-your-company)
- [Learn About Accessibility](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accessibility-basics/learn-about-accessibility)
- [Create Your Training Strategy and Communication Plan](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-training-and-motivation/create-your-training-strategy-and-communication-plan)
- [Analyze and Narrow Solution Concepts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/strategic-vision-creation/analyze-and-narrow-solution-concepts)
- [Assemble a Diverse Project Team](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/challenge-framing-and-scoping/assemble-a-diverse-project-team)
- [Create a Strategic Vision](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/strategic-vision-creation/create-a-strategic-vision)
- [Platform Strategy Designer Exam Guide](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005298981&language=en_US&type=1)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 14 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Strategy Designer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams