How to Write a UX Research “Findings and Recommendations Report” That Wows Every Time

Philip Burgess
Aug 17
2 min read

Updated: Oct 25

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader

Delivering a Findings and Recommendations Report is one of the most important responsibilities of a UX researcher. It’s not just about presenting data—it’s about telling a compelling story, driving action, and inspiring stakeholders to make better design and business decisions. A report that wows doesn’t just sit in a folder; it shapes product roadmaps, sparks innovation, and earns credibility for the research team.

1. UX Research Findings: Start with a Clear Structure

Your UX Research Findings report should follow a logical, easy-to-digest flow. A consistent template helps stakeholders know what to expect:

Executive Summary – High-level takeaways and why they matter.
Objectives & Research Questions – What you set out to learn.
Methodology – How you conducted the study (brief, non-technical).
Key Findings – The most critical insights, prioritized.
Recommendations – Actionable next steps tied to findings.
Appendix – Supporting data, quotes, metrics for those who want detail.

Tip: Use consistent slide titles or headers to orient your audience—this builds trust and helps them follow the story.

2. Tell a Story, Not Just the Data

A wow-worthy report reads like a narrative, not a raw data dump.

Show the before and after: what users expected, what they experienced, and how it affected outcomes.
Use real quotes and anecdotes to humanize insights.
Weave findings into a journey, from pain points to opportunities.

Tip: Ask yourself: If someone reads only the summary, would they still grasp the “so what”?

3. Highlight Actionable Recommendations

Insights without action are wasted potential. Tie every finding to a clear, prioritized recommendation:

Use “Do / Don’t” formats for clarity.
Rank recommendations (High / Medium / Low impact).
Connect changes to business metrics (e.g., “Fixing navigation could reduce support calls by 25%”).

Tip: Keep recommendations short, punchy, and solution-oriented—avoid vague suggestions like “improve usability.”

4. Use Visuals to Engage

Stakeholders skim—visuals make findings stick.

Replace dense text with charts, heatmaps, journey maps, and annotated screenshots.
Use icons and infographics to highlight key messages.
Keep the design professional, clean, and consistent.

Tip: One strong visual per finding is worth more than a page of text.

5. Make It Tailored and Shareable

Different audiences need different levels of depth:

Executives – Want the “so what?” in 5 minutes or less.
Designers/Engineers – Need detailed usability problems and examples.
Product Managers – Care about priority, tradeoffs, and business impact.

Tip: Create multiple versions (e.g., a slide deck for execs and a detailed PDF for practitioners).

6. Close with Impact

End your report with:

A summary slide/page reinforcing top recommendations.
A call to action (“Prioritize navigation redesign in Q4 roadmap”).
A reminder of research’s value in driving business outcomes.

Tip: Leave stakeholders excited to act, not just informed.

Final Thoughts

A great Findings and Recommendations Report goes beyond delivering insights—it influences strategy, inspires change, and builds credibility for UX research. By structuring reports clearly, telling a compelling story, making recommendations actionable, and tailoring for your audience, you’ll consistently deliver reports that don’t just inform, but wow every time.

Philip Burgess | philipburgess.net | phil@philipburgess.net