Unlocking the Power of Research Deliverables

Below, I've compiled a list of common artifacts that can help in communicating your research data. These deliverables not only aid in conveying your findings effectively but also play a crucial role in building a shared understanding among team members and stakeholders. Let's explore some key research deliverables:

• Presentation of Findings - Presentations of findings are reports or slideshows that communicate research results to stakeholders. They typically include key insights, data, recommendations, and visual aids. Presentations of findings are a primary means of sharing research results. They provide a structured format for conveying key insights and actionable recommendations to stakeholders.‍
• Persona Profiles - Persona profiles are detailed descriptions of fictional characters representing different user types. They include demographics, behaviors, goals, and pain points. Persona profiles humanize and make user segments relatable. They help teams understand and empathize with the target audience, facilitating user-centered design. These pair well with both quantitative and qualitative data backing. I should stress that they should be more motivation focused rather than just cataloguing a mythical person to be truly helpful.‍
• User Journey Maps - User journey maps provide a visual representation of the end-to-end user experience with a product or service. They illustrate user interactions, emotions, and touchpoints throughout their journey. User journey maps help identify pain points and opportunities for improvement in the user's experience, leading to enhanced user satisfaction and retention. A good follow-up artifact to a journey map might be a Service Blueprint that maps journeys specifically into business objectives. ‍
• Data Schemas - Data schemas outline the structure and relationships of data within a system. They define how data is organized, specifying tables, fields, and their associations. Data schemas are critical for data management and database design. They ensure data is organized effectively, supporting data integrity and efficiency. Object-Oriented UX is a great way to dive even deeper into these data relationships. ‍
• Roadmaps - Roadmaps provide a strategic view of a project's future direction. They outline planned phases, milestones, and priorities, helping stakeholders understand the project's timeline and objectives. These help enable teams and stakeholders to align on the project's strategic direction. They serve as a visual guide to prioritize and coordinate efforts effectively and guide a product's next steps.‍
• Vision Maps - Vision maps are visual representations of a project's overarching vision and goals. They often include high-level concepts, design principles, and key objectives. Vision maps help create a shared understanding of the project's purpose and goals. They align team members and stakeholders towards a common vision. These are good for generative and exploratory research methodologies. ‍
• Usability Testing Reports - Usability testing reports summarize the results of usability tests, including user feedback, issues encountered, and recommendations for improvements. Usability testing reports assist teams in identifying usability problems and prioritizing fixes, resulting in more user-friendly products. These are good for more evaluative research methodologies. ‍
• Wireframes and Prototypes - Wireframes and prototypes are visual representations of the user interface. Wireframes show the structure and layout, while prototypes allow for interactive testing. Wireframes and prototypes help visualize design concepts, enabling teams to test and refine user interfaces before development.‍
• Interview Transcripts - Interview transcripts are verbatim records of research interviews, though they can include summaries and key points, capturing participants' responses to questions. Interview transcripts provide a detailed record for analysis and reference, ensuring the accuracy of research findings. These are helpful for further research and reference. They pair well with some sort of presentation of findings.‍
• Affinity Diagrams - Affinity diagrams are used to organize and group data, such as user feedback or research findings, into meaningful categories. Affinity diagrams help identify patterns and themes within data, simplifying the analysis process.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of research deliverables, and the specific artifacts may vary depending on the nature of the research and project requirements. The choice of deliverables should align with the goals of the research and the needs of the stakeholders. When selecting and creating these artifacts, consider the most effective means of communicating your research insights, ensuring they drive informed decision-making and improvements. Deliverables amplify the impact of your research efforts and foster a deeper understanding among your project stakeholders.

Closing Thoughts

This is the end of my series on Building a Research Plan. If there is anything you takeaway from these articles, it's this: come with a plan. Any plan is better than no plan at all. While our best of plans never survive initial contact, they do allow us to flex and adapt easier when the moment calls for it. Your research plan is the additional strategic element that will set your research apart from the competition. I hope you enjoyed these tips and thoughts. Let me know if this helped you! Blessings!