What Executive Leaders Really Want From UX Research

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader

Executive leaders face constant pressure to make decisions that drive business success. They rely on clear, reliable information to guide product development, customer experience, and strategic planning. UX research can provide this information, but only if it meets the specific needs of these leaders. Understanding what executive leaders truly want from UX research helps teams deliver insights that influence decisions and create real impact.

UX research notes and charts on a table

Clear and Actionable Insights

Executive leaders do not want lengthy reports filled with jargon or raw data. They want clear, actionable insights that help them understand user needs and behaviors quickly. This means UX research should:

• Summarize key findings in simple language

• Highlight the most important user pain points or opportunities

• Suggest practical next steps or design changes

  
  

For example, instead of presenting a detailed heatmap analysis, a UX researcher might say, “Users struggle to find the checkout button, causing a 15% drop in conversions. Moving the button to the top right corner increased clicks by 25% in testing.” This kind of insight directly connects research to business outcomes.

Focus on Business Goals

Executives want UX research that aligns with business priorities. They care about how user experience affects revenue, customer retention, brand reputation, and operational efficiency. UX research should be framed around these goals, showing how improving the user experience supports the company’s bottom line.

For instance, if a company aims to increase subscription renewals, UX research might explore why users cancel or fail to renew. The research could reveal that confusing renewal options cause frustration, leading to churn. Presenting this insight with data on potential revenue loss makes the research relevant and urgent for leaders.

Speed and Timeliness

Business moves fast, and executive leaders need research that keeps pace. They want insights delivered quickly enough to influence product roadmaps and marketing strategies. This means UX research teams should:

• Use rapid research methods like guerrilla testing or remote usability studies

• Provide interim findings during longer projects

• Prioritize research questions that address immediate business challenges

  
  

For example, a startup launching a new app feature might need quick feedback on usability before the official release. A UX researcher could conduct a two-day remote test and deliver a concise report, enabling the team to make last-minute improvements.

Visual and Concise Presentation

Executives often skim reports due to time constraints. UX research findings should be presented visually and concisely to capture attention and facilitate understanding. Effective formats include:

• Infographics summarizing key data points

• Charts showing trends or comparisons

• Short video clips demonstrating user interactions

  
  

Visuals help leaders grasp complex information quickly. For example, a bar chart showing a 30% increase in task completion after a design change is more impactful than paragraphs of explanation.

UX researcher presenting a user journey map

Evidence That Supports Decision-Making

Executive leaders want confidence that decisions are based on solid evidence. UX research should provide reliable data that reduces risk and uncertainty. This means:

• Using representative samples of users

• Combining qualitative and quantitative methods

• Validating findings through multiple studies or iterations

  
  

For example, a company considering a major redesign will want to see consistent feedback from diverse user groups, supported by usage metrics and A/B testing results. This evidence helps justify investments and guides resource allocation.

Collaboration and Communication

Leaders appreciate when UX researchers communicate clearly and collaborate with other teams. They want research to be integrated into product development, marketing, and customer support processes. This requires:

• Regular updates and presentations to leadership

• Sharing insights with cross-functional teams

• Translating research findings into user stories or design requirements

  
  

When UX research becomes part of the company’s workflow, it gains more influence and drives better outcomes.

Real-World Example

A global e-commerce company wanted to reduce cart abandonment. UX researchers conducted remote usability tests and analyzed customer support tickets. They found that unclear shipping costs caused hesitation at checkout. Presenting this insight with data on lost sales convinced executives to simplify shipping information. After implementing changes, the company saw a 12% increase in completed purchases within three months.

This example shows how UX research that focuses on business goals, delivers clear insights, and provides evidence can directly impact revenue.

Final Thoughts

Executive leaders want UX research that is clear, relevant, timely, visual, evidence-based, and collaborative. When UX teams deliver research in this way, they help leaders make informed decisions that improve products and grow the business. UX research is not just about understanding users; it is a tool to support strategic leadership and drive measurable results.