What are the best ways to present user research to cross-functional teams?

1 Know your audience

Before you prepare your presentation, you need to know who you are talking to and what they care about. Different stakeholders may have different questions, concerns, and expectations from your user research. For example, developers may want to know how to fix bugs and improve usability, while marketers may want to know how to position and promote your game. You should tailor your presentation to address the specific needs and interests of your audience, and use language and examples that they can relate to.

2 Choose the right format

The format of your presentation depends on the purpose, context, and scope of your user research. You may choose to use slides, videos, audio clips, infographics, reports, or prototypes to showcase your findings. You should choose the format that best suits your message, audience, and time constraints. For example, if you want to demonstrate the emotional impact of your game, you may use video clips of players' reactions, while if you want to highlight the key metrics and trends, you may use infographics and charts.

3 Tell a story

One of the most effective ways to present user research is to tell a story that connects your findings to your game's goals and vision. A story can help you engage your audience, convey your main points, and illustrate the value and relevance of your user research. You should structure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and use data, quotes, and examples to support your narrative. You should also include a call to action that summarizes your recommendations and next steps based on your user research.

4 Use visuals

Visuals can help you communicate your user research findings more clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Visuals can include images, icons, graphs, diagrams, maps, or screenshots that illustrate your data, insights, and suggestions. You should use visuals that are simple, relevant, and consistent, and avoid cluttering your presentation with too many or too complex visuals. You should also use colors, fonts, and labels that are easy to read and understand.

5 Invite feedback

Presenting user research is not a one-way communication, but a dialogue with your cross-functional teams. You should invite feedback from your audience, and encourage them to ask questions, share opinions, and suggest ideas. Feedback can help you validate, refine, and improve your user research findings, and also foster collaboration and alignment among your teams. You should listen to feedback with an open mind, acknowledge different perspectives, and address any concerns or objections.

6 Follow up

After you present your user research, you should follow up with your cross-functional teams to ensure that they understand and act on your findings. You should provide them with a summary of your presentation, including the key takeaways, recommendations, and action items. You should also offer your support and guidance, and check in with them regularly to monitor their progress and challenges. By following up, you can maintain the momentum and impact of your user research, and build trust and rapport with your teams.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?