Key elements in a final UX Research report
After weeks dedicated to interviews, analysis, and pattern review, the time comes to bring all that knowledge together: the final report. It’s not just about documenting what we’ve done, but about clearly and effectively communicating the insights we’ve gained and the findings we’ve uncovered, and how these can support better design decisions. The report serves as a piece that connects the entire team with what we’ve learned and what we can do next.
Let’s go over what we aim to achieve with a UX Research report, the essential elements it should include, what additional resources can add value, and common mistakes to avoid.
What do we aim to achieve with a UX Research report?
Our goal when preparing a final research report is twofold: on one hand, to make the findings understandable to the various stakeholders involved in the project (design, product, business, development…); and on the other, to ensure that these findings become actionable knowledge to support decision-making.
In other words, a good report is not just a document that “closes” the research — it’s a living tool that fuels design and product processes and opens up new directions.
That’s why we expect it to be:
- Clear and easy to read
- Visually and logically structured
- Actionable, connecting findings with potential design or business decisions
Key elements that should always be included in a final report
There are certain elements we consider essential and always try to include in our final reports:
- Research objective: First, we make clear why the research was conducted. What questions were we trying to answer? What team or project need drove us to carry out the research?
- Methodology: We explain how we worked, what methods were used (interviews, usability testing, surveys, metrics analysis…), who the participants were, and any other relevant context.
- Hypotheses: Before beginning the research, and in collaboration with stakeholders and people with deep product knowledge, we define a set of hypotheses to guide the investigation. By the end of the project, we confirm or reject each of them.
- Executive summary: A synthesis of the most relevant findings and conclusions. This section is especially useful for stakeholders who won’t read the full report but need to grasp the main takeaways.
- Key findings: Here we present the main findings in detail. It’s important to structure them clearly and directly relate them to the evidence gathered during the research.
- Recommendations: Each finding is linked to possible next steps. Instead of letting the data “float,” we aim to translate it into concrete suggestions that can be integrated into design or product decisions.
- Next steps: We outline potential future actions, whether to dive deeper into open questions or to validate the recommendations proposed.
Additional elements that bring great value
Beyond the essentials, there are extra resources that significantly enhance the usefulness of the report:
- User quotes: Including direct quotes that illustrate findings helps humanize the data and fosters empathy with the users.
- Video summary with highlights: A short video with key session clips tied to the main insights can be an effective way to quickly and visually communicate findings.
- Visual resources: These help with understanding and internal communication, such as annotated product screenshots that show the insight on each slide.
Common mistakes in UX Research reports (and how to avoid them)
When creating a UX Research report, it’s easy to fall into certain pitfalls that reduce the clarity or usefulness of the document. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Overly long and dense texts: A very lengthy report without a clear structure makes it hard for people to read and use it. To avoid this, it’s essential to define a strong information hierarchy and use visual elements that improve readability.
- Lack of context for findings: Sometimes, observations are shared without explaining where they came from or why they matter. Always connect findings to the research context, the initial questions, and the hypotheses.
- Unclear or missing recommendations: Simply describing what we observed without suggesting what to do about it makes the report less practical. It’s key to turn findings into actionable recommendations.
- Using language that’s not tailored to the audience: A common mistake is using overly technical or inaccessible language for certain stakeholders. It’s important to adapt tone and content to the intended audience of the report.
Paying attention to how a final report is crafted is not just a matter of form, it’s an essential part of the research process itself. It allows us to close the loop with clarity, give meaning to what we’ve learned, and share it in a way that helps others make more informed decisions and plan next steps. When a report gets read, discussed, and helps align teams, that’s when we know we’ve done our job well.
This is a translation of the following article from our corporate website:
