What are the best practices for sharing user research findings with stakeholders and clients?

Audience Insights: Know your audience's familiarity with research. Explain basics to newcomers, dive deep for involved stakeholders. Narrative Flow: Craft a compelling story: problem, user challenges, desires, and data twists. Use quotes for character voices. Actionable Gems: Reveal insights as the climax—treasure in the form of actionable recommendations. Your research becomes an engaging tale! ??????

Knowing your audience is key at pitching your research findings in the right way. You should understand and know what is important to them when explaining your research findings, and importantly, the next steps/impact. Example: Does a CEO care there's a few usability issues with their app? Probably not. They care about the financial impact of poor usability, and the cost to rectify.

Sharing user research findings effectively with stakeholders and clients is crucial for informed decision-making and successful project outcomes. Here are some best practices for doing so: Understand Your Audience: Tailor your presentation to the specific needs and interests of your audience. Stakeholders and clients may have varying levels of technical expertise and familiarity with user research. Clear and Concise Communication: Present findings in a clear and concise manner. Use plain language and avoid jargon to ensure that the information is easily understood.

Understanding your audience is key to preparing an effective presentation. Different stakeholders and clients will have varying levels of familiarity with user research methods, goals, and terminology. Tailor your presentation to match their interests, expertise, and involvement in the project. For example, if you're presenting to a client new to user research, explain basic concepts and terms to build their understanding. Conversely, if your audience consists of stakeholders deeply involved in the design process, focus on the details and implications of your findings. Knowing your audience ensures your message resonates and delivers value.

2. Choose the Right Format: Different stakeholders require different types of information. For business leaders, focus on the high-level impact of the research on business goals. Product managers might need more in-depth insights about user needs. Developers might require technical details. Tailor your presentation and documentation to suit these specific needs.

There are two aspects that need to be taken into account before you opt for a format: a) through which formats can your research findings be presented the most optimally, i.e., what format makes the research findings "come alive". b) how do your research findings relate to the type of stakeholder that you wish to present to. It is important to "hook" the stakeholders' attention. Opt for a format through which both you and them can keep the thread of thoughts so that it is clear how points A through Z relate to each other. The goal should be that the data itself reveals the most sensible actionable steps.

There’s no universal format for sharing user research findings it depends on your audience, goals, and resources. Consider various formats like reports, slide decks, videos, infographics, dashboards, or prototypes, For instance: Reports: Ideal for documenting the research process and findings in detail. Slide Decks: Great for highlighting key insights and recommendations during meetings. Videos: Useful for showcasing user feedback and emotions in an engaging, compelling manner. Infographics: Perfect for summarizing data visually for quick understanding. Dashboards: Effective for tracking ongoing research metrics and progress. Prototypes: Useful for demonstrating interactive design solutions based on research insights.

3. Tell a Story: Create a narrative that takes stakeholders on a journey. Start with the problem, illustrate how users are affected, and then show how addressing the problem can align with business goals. By framing research within a compelling story, you make it easier for stakeholders to connect and engage with the content.

Telling a story is a powerful way to share user research findings, connecting data to the design problem and solution. Start with the beginning, introducing the research question, context, and users, like “Meet Sarah, a busy professional struggling with task management.” Move to the middle, presenting key insights with evidence, such as “65% of users found navigation confusing, with Sarah stating, ‘I always feel lost.’” Conclude with the end, summarizing findings and actionable recommendations, like “Streamline navigation and add task prioritization to enhance user satisfaction.” A clear narrative engages your audience and makes insights memorable.

4. Use Visuals and Examples: Visual aids, such as graphs, charts, and user personas, can make complex data more digestible. Provide concrete examples and case studies that highlight the real-world impact of the research. Visuals and examples breathe life into the data, making it relatable.

Use visuals and examples to make user research findings engaging and persuasive. Visuals like charts, graphs, or journey maps can highlight patterns and trends, while examples such as user quotes or case studies show real feedback and behaviors. For instance, “A heatmap revealed users struggled to find the checkout button, with one user saying, ‘I gave up after a few minutes.’” Ensure visuals are clear, relevant, and consistently styled, using captions and labels to explain their connection to findings. Pairing visuals with examples makes your insights more relatable and actionable.

5. Provide Action Points: Conclude by outlining clear action points based on the research findings. Specify how addressing these points can contribute to achieving business goals and enhancing the user experience. Prioritize these actions, so it's evident which steps should be taken first.

Provide clear action points to inspire stakeholders to act on your research findings. Outline specific steps, assign responsibilities, and set deadlines. For example, "Simplify the navigation menu by reducing categories from eight to five (Owner: UX Designer; Deadline: Feb 15)." Explain how these steps address user needs, align with project goals, and solve design challenges. Invite feedback and questions, fostering collaboration and ensuring your action plan aligns with stakeholders' perspectives. This approach turns insights into measurable improvements while securing team buy-in.

I love to make some of my research playback reports/sessions interactive where possible... try playing the game "2 truths, 1 lie" with your findings. This works really well with usability studies and reports. You'll likely find the audience are more engaged and you can delve deeper into the 2 truths.

It is common knowledge that one needs to know one's audience. Regardless of audience & channels, we need to communicate our findings with: 1. simple graphs & charts (one dimensional is best) 2. simple labels (not fancy, convoluted) 3. clear statements (forget the jargon). Make your information accessible and human centered, respecting your stakeholders intelligence and experience. Stakeholders love to feel valued, connected & heard. How do you communicate your findings? a) By revisiting the problem statement, issues & concerns. b) Provide unique solutions & their impact on the business. c)Strategic insights - attribute monetary value, success metrics on opportunities to deliver improved user experience.

- Understand the story you want to tell. - Understand the stakeholders you are telling the story to - Present the story to them using an approach that will be engaging and will help them understand the story you are telling. Remember, you are not trying hard to convince them about the story, you are presenting a story that is self-convincing. Remember to also keep it SIMPLE. You are not there to showcase how technical you can be, rather you are there to communicate.