PHILIP BURGESS

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started writing UX research case studies, I thought the story was simple: show the problem, explain the research, and present the solution. But over time, I realized many case studies miss a crucial part — demonstrating the real impact of the research. This gap often leaves readers wondering if the research made any difference at all. In this post, I want to share what I’ve learned about why most UX research case studies fai

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in the UX field, I often found myself confused by the terms "UX research case study" and "UX design case study." They seemed similar on the surface, but as I gained experience, I realized they serve very different purposes and highlight distinct parts of the product development process. Understanding these differences can help you communicate your work more clearly and showcase your skills effectively. A UX r

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started writing UX research case studies, I struggled to present my work in a way that was clear and engaging. I knew the research was valuable, but the story often felt scattered or hard to follow. Over time, I learned that the way you structure your case study can make all the difference. A well-organized case study not only highlights your findings but also guides readers through your process smoothly. Here’s how I approa

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started sharing my UX research work, I struggled to present my findings in a way that truly reflected the depth and value of the process. A high-quality UX research case study does more than just list methods and results. It tells a story that connects the problem, the users, and the design decisions in a clear, engaging way. If you want to create case studies that stand out and communicate your impact effectively, understan

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader For over 20 years, I’ve seen UX research evolve from lab-based usability studies to remote testing, analytics, and now — AI-driven insights. Recently, I led a project where we integrated AI into our UX research workflow, and the results showed how powerful this combination can be when done thoughtfully. The Challenge Our team was tasked with improving a complex digital experience that served multiple user types. We needed to: Analyze a l

🎯 Background An e-commerce retailer noticed unusually high shopping cart abandonment rates. Initial analytics showed a sharp drop-off at the account creation screen , raising questions about whether requiring registration was costing the business sales. 🔬 Research Goals Understand why users abandoned their cart at checkout. Evaluate the role of mandatory account creation in the decision to exit. Identify opportunities to reduce friction and increase conversion. 🧪 Methods A

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started building my UX research portfolio, I faced a common question: how many case studies should I include? It’s tempting to showcase every project I’ve worked on, but I quickly learned that quality matters more than quantity. A portfolio packed with too many case studies can overwhelm hiring managers and dilute your strongest work. On the other hand, too few case studies might leave gaps in demonstrating your skills and p

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Writing UX research case studies is a key skill for any designer or researcher. They showcase your problem-solving abilities, your process, and your impact. But what happens when your work is protected by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)? Sharing details can feel impossible, yet you still want to demonstrate your expertise. I’ve faced this challenge many times, and I’ll share practical ways to create compelling case studies without break

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Creating a UX research case study that truly stands out requires more than just presenting data. It demands a clear structure that guides readers through the problem, the process, and the results. Understanding which categories to include helps communicate your work effectively and shows the value of your research. This post breaks down the essential categories that every UX research case study should have to make a strong impact. A UX r

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Navigating a healthcare portal can feel overwhelming for many users. These platforms often contain vast amounts of information, multiple services, and sensitive personal data. When the user experience is complicated, patients and healthcare providers alike may struggle to find what they need quickly and efficiently. Improving user experience in such a complex environment is essential to ensure users can access care, information, and supp

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Scaling research in a large enterprise is a complex challenge. Many organizations struggle to maintain quality, consistency, and impact as they expand their research efforts across multiple teams and departments. This post explores practical lessons learned from scaling research in a large company, highlighting what strategies succeeded and which ones fell short. Whether you lead a research team or collaborate with one, these insights ca

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Personalization has become a key factor in how users interact with digital platforms. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a major role in tailoring experiences to individual preferences, making interactions smoother and more engaging. This case study explores how AI-powered personalization improves user experience through practical examples and measurable outcomes. Personalized content recommendations on a digital interface How AI Persona

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When a product faces a critical issue that threatens its success, relying on a single research method rarely provides the full picture. Mixed methods in UX research combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to uncover deeper insights and guide better decisions. This post explores how using mixed methods can solve high-stakes product problems by blending data-driven analysis with human-centered understanding. UX researcher reviewing

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Getting new users to complete onboarding is a challenge many digital products face. When users drop off early, it means lost opportunities and wasted resources. UX research offers a clear path to understanding why users struggle and how to fix those issues. This post explores how UX research helped improve onboarding completion rates by uncovering user pain points and guiding design improvements. User engaging with onboarding screen on a

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When a user experience (UX) project fails, it can feel like a major setback. Yet, these failures often reveal valuable lessons that can shape future success. Understanding what went wrong and why helps teams avoid repeating mistakes and build better products. This post explores key insights from a failed UX initiative, offering practical advice for designers, product managers, and developers aiming to improve their UX efforts. Workspace

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When users struggle to complete a task on a website or app, it often means the design misses the mark. Improving task success is crucial because it directly affects user satisfaction and business goals. This post explores how UX research helped identify problems in a key user flow and led to design changes that boosted task success rates significantly. User analyzing task flow on a digital screen Identifying the Problem in the User Flow

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Research teams often face challenges in managing data, writing reports, and maintaining consistency across projects. These challenges can slow progress and create confusion. One research team found a way to overcome these obstacles by adopting standardized templates. This change improved their workflow, communication, and overall productivity. Research workspace showing standardized templates on a laptop screen The Problem with Inconsist

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) leadership is often talked about in broad terms, but real lessons come from concrete examples. A recent case study I reviewed revealed practical insights into what makes UX leadership effective and impactful. This post breaks down those lessons, focusing on how UX leaders can guide teams, influence product decisions, and create meaningful user experiences. A UX designer creating wireframes during a brainstorming sess

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Creating a UX research case study that stands out requires more than just presenting data. It involves telling a clear story that shows how research influenced design decisions and improved user experience. This post breaks down the essential parts of a strong UX research case study and offers practical tips to help you craft one that communicates your work effectively. UX researcher reviewing user journey maps UX Research Case Study: St

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) research case studies are vital tools for showcasing how research informs design decisions and improves products. Yet, many struggle to present their findings clearly and effectively. This post breaks down the essential elements of a UX research case study and offers a practical example to guide your own work. A UX researcher reviewing user feedback data on a laptop What a UX Research Case Study Should Include A well