How to Build a Really Great UX Research Report (4 Free Templates)

The key to making your hard work researching count lies in crafting a killer UX research report.

Whether you're using a UX research report template or starting from scratch, your goal is to transform raw data into actionable insights. 

Let's break down how to turn your findings into a user research report that gets read, understood, and acted upon.

What is a UX Research Report?

A UX research report is your secret weapon for turning user insights into action. It's not just a boring document that gathers dust on a shelf. A well-crafted UX research report can be the difference between a product that flops and one that flies.

When you're knee-deep in user interviews and drowning in data, a UX research report is your lifeline. It helps you make sense of all that information and package it up in a way that gets your team excited about solving user problems.

When creating your UX research report, consider using a user research report template to ensure you cover all the essential elements. These templates can provide a solid UX research report structure to build upon.

What a UX research report is NOT

Let's clear the air. A UX research report isn't:

• A data dump with every single thing you observed (save that for your personal journal)
• A novel-length academic paper that puts people to sleep (we're not writing for a PhD here)
• A chance to show off how smart you are with fancy jargon (nobody likes a show-off)

Instead, think of your user research report as a highlight reel of the most important stuff you learned about your users. It's the Cliffnotes version of your research, but way more interesting.

What is the purpose of a UX research report?

The purpose of a user research report is simple: to help your team focus on the right user insights and make better decisions about your product. It's all about:

• Showing what users struggle with (those facepalm moments)
• Highlighting opportunities to make their lives easier (be the hero they need)
• Giving your team a clear roadmap for what to do next (no more "what now?" meetings)

Essential elements of UX research reports

Learning how to write a UX research report is crucial for effectively communicating your findings. Every killer user research findings report needs:

• A snappy executive summary (for the TL;DR crowd)
• Clear research goals and questions (what were you trying to figure out?)
• A rundown of your methods (show your work, just like in math class)
• Key findings that pack a punch (the "oh snap!" moments)
• Real user quotes that bring insights to life (let your users do the talking)
• Actionable recommendations (what should we do about it?)
• Next steps that are crystal clear (no room for "I don't know what to do next")

Good Research Reports: Templates and Examples

In this section, we’ve put together 4 wonderful templates that’ll make it much easier to put together a UX research report from scratch, along with examples of what the end result should look (vaguely) like.

UX Research Report Templates

1. Research Report: Insights Template from Looppanel‍

(Free) 

Ever heard of the Minto’s pyramid? It’s a great guideline for sharing research findings—start with the takeaways and end with the details. It prioritizes the readers of the report, i.e. the research stakeholders, which makes all the difference. 

Built by the Looppanel team and UX leader Dan Winer, this presentation template will give your stakeholders what they want: answers first. The template also includes helpful examples for each stage, clearly explaining what each section should include. It’s made on Figjam, making it super collaborative.

2. Figma User Research Report Template‍

(Free) 

This Figma template by Furquan Ahmad is a lifesaver if you want a slick-looking presentation for your UX research report. It comes with pre-designed slides for everything from your methodology to your key findings. The clean, professional design means you can focus on content without worrying about making it look pretty. It's perfect for researchers who want to create a polished user research report without spending hours on design.

3. UX Presentation PPT Template by Mural ‍

(Paid) 

Mural's template is worth every penny especially if you're presenting to high-stakes stakeholders. It is a collaborative tool designed with IDEO to help you create impactful ux research report presentations. It guides you through planning your main message, experimenting with different presentation styles, and organizing your content effectively. 

4. Miro's UX Presentation Template 

(Free) 

Miro's template is a breath of fresh air if you're tired of traditional slide decks. It's set up like a giant whiteboard, letting you zoom in and out of different sections of your research. It's especially good for showing the connections between different findings and recommendations. This template shines when you're presenting a complex user research report with lots of interconnected insights.

UX research report: an example

Looking at a UX research report example or user research report sample can provide inspiration for your own report. Here are a few scenarios.

• Mobile app usability: Your UX research report could highlight navigation issues and suggest a new information architecture.
• B2B software onboarding: Your user research findings report might identify confusion in the setup process and propose a guided onboarding flow.

Let's say you've just finished researching why users are abandoning your e-commerce app's checkout process. Your user research report sample might look something like this.

This user research report example gives a clear overview of the problem, what you found, and what you think should be done about it. It's concise but packed with actionable insights.

How to structure a UX research report

The UX research report structure is like a good story. It should flow naturally and keep people hooked. Here's a solid structure to follow.

1. Title page (make it catchy! "Users Speak: What We Learned About Our Checkout Process")
2. Table of contents (for the skimmers and jumpers)
3. Executive summary (your highlight reel - make it juicy)
4. Introduction (set the stage - why did we do this research?)
5. Methodology (show your work - how did we do this research?)
6. Findings and insights (the meat of your report - what did we learn?)
7. Recommendations (what should happen next - be bold!)
8. Conclusion (wrap it up with a bow - what's the big takeaway?)
9. Appendices (for the data nerds who want to dig deeper)

This UX research report structure takes your readers on a journey. It starts with the big picture (executive summary) and then zooms in on the details before zooming back out to the "so what?" (recommendations and conclusion).

How to write a research statement for UX

Your research statement is like a movie trailer for your user research report. It should make people want to know more. Here's what to include:

1. The problem you're tackling (What's keeping you up at night?)
2. Why it matters (Why should anyone care?)
3. How you plan to investigate (What's your game plan?)

For example:
We're digging into why users abandon our app after just one use. This is killing our retention rates and costing us big bucks. We'll be watching real users interact with the app and interviewing them to uncover the roadblocks. Our goal? To boost our retention rates by 50% in the next quarter.

This research statement sets the stage for your UX research report. It gives readers a sneak peek of what's to come and why they should keep reading.

Crafting an executive summary for a UX research report

Your executive summary might be the only part of your UX research report some busy execs read. Make it count! Keep it to one page and include:

1. The big problem you're solving (What's the burning issue?)
2. Your key findings (What are the "aha!" moments?)
3. Your top recommendations (What should we do about it?)
4. The potential impact of making these changes (Why should we care?)

For example:
Our research shows that users are abandoning our checkout process in droves, costing us an estimated $1 million in lost sales annually. We found that unexpected shipping costs and a complicated address entry process are the main culprits. By showing shipping costs earlier and simplifying address entry, we could increase conversion rates by up to 25%, potentially adding $250,000 to our bottom line this year.

This executive summary gives the busy C-suite exactly what they need to know: the problem, the findings, the solution, and the potential impact. 

Best Practices for writing an effective UX research report

• Know your audience. Are you writing for designers? Developers? The C-suite? Tailor your language and focus accordingly. Developers might want more technical details, while executives might want more business impact.
• Tell a story. Humans are wired for narratives. Use that to your advantage. Instead of just listing findings, weave them into a compelling story about your users' experiences.
• Use data to back up your points, but don't drown people in numbers. A few well-chosen stats can be powerful. Too many can be overwhelming.
• Include direct user quotes. They're powerful and memorable. "I feel like I'm fighting with this app" is much more impactful than "Users expressed frustration."
• Make your recommendations specific and actionable. "Improve the UI" is too vague. "Simplify the checkout process by reducing it from 5 steps to 3" is much better.
• Use visuals effectively. Charts, graphs, and user journey maps can often convey information more quickly and clearly than text alone.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Typos and grammatical errors can undermine your credibility.

How to present user research findings

Presenting your findings is where the rubber meets the road. Here's how to nail your user research findings report presentation.

• Start your user research findings report with the big picture before diving into details. Give your audience context. Why did you do this research? What were you hoping to learn?
• Use visuals liberally. A picture really is worth a thousand words. Use charts, graphs, and user journey maps to illustrate your points.
• Highlight patterns and trends. What are the recurring themes in your user research findings report? What surprised you?
• Connect your findings to business goals or user needs. Why should people care about what you found? How does it impact the bottom line or user satisfaction?
• Be prepared for questions. Know your stuff inside and out. Be ready to dive deeper into any part of your UX research report.
• Tell stories about real users. Instead of just presenting data, bring your findings to life with anecdotes from your research.
• End with clear next steps. What should happen as a result of this research? Who needs to do what?

Tips for presenting a report

• Practice, practice, practice. Know your key points cold. You should be able to present your user research findings report in your sleep.
• Be prepared for pushback. Not everyone will love your findings or recommendations. Be ready to defend your research without getting defensive.
• Use analogies to explain complex concepts. If you're presenting to non-researchers, find ways to relate your findings to things they understand.
• Follow up with a written report for people to reference later. Your presentation is the trailer, your UX research report is the full movie.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an example of UX research?

UX research comes in various forms, all of which can contribute to a comprehensive UX research report or user research report. Here are some examples that might appear in a UX research report example or user research report sample:

• Usability testing: Observing users as they interact with a product or feature. This method often provides rich data for a user research findings report.
• User interviews: Conducting in-depth conversations with users about their experiences. These insights frequently form the core of a user research report example.
• Surveys: Gathering quantitative data from a large user base. This data can provide statistical support for findings in your UX research report structure.
• Ethnographic studies: Observing users in their natural environment. These studies can offer contextual data for your user research report template.

How to write a good UX research report?

• Learning how to write a UX research report effectively involves several key strategies. Whether you're using a UX research report template or crafting a custom user research report template, keep these tips in mind:
  • Start with impact. Lead your UX research report with your most significant findings. If you discovered that 90% of users struggle with a particular feature, make that your opening statement in your user research findings report.
  • Use clear language. Avoid jargon in your user research report. Translate complex concepts into simple terms that all stakeholders can understand when creating your UX research report example.
  • Visualize data. Incorporate charts, graphs, and user journey maps in your UX research report structure. Visual elements can make your user research report sample more engaging and easier to digest.
  • Be concise. Keep your UX research report focused and to-the-point. Prioritize quality of insights over quantity of words in your user research report example.
  • Structure for scannability. Use headers and subheaders to break up your user research findings report. This makes your UX research report template> easier to navigate, especially for readers short on time.