User research template

‍What is a user research plan?

A user research plan is a strategic document that outlines the purpose, approach, and logistics for gathering insights about your users. It serves as a roadmap and agreement between researchers and stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands what questions will be answered, which methods will be used, and when results will be delivered.

A well-structured research plan defines the problem space, outlines methodologies, establishes participant requirements, and sets expectations for the process and outcomes. This preparation helps teams conduct research efficiently while maintaining focus on the questions that matter most to the business.

What is this user research plan template?

Most teams jump into research without planning—this template fixes that. It provides a comprehensive framework for planning user research from initial objectives through final deliverables. This user research plan template gives your team a repeatable process for planning every aspect of your research project before you begin, ensuring you collect the right data from the right people using the right methods.

The template guides you through each planning component with practical examples and considerations, helping both experienced researchers and those new to user research create thorough, effective plans. Whether you're conducting interviews, surveys, usability tests, or field studies, this user research plan template helps you prepare properly and communicate your approach clearly to stakeholders.

Why use this template?

Many research projects fail because of poor planning. Teams jump straight to methods without clarifying their questions, recruit the wrong participants, or collect data that doesn't address their actual needs. This user research plan template prevents these problems by guiding you through a structured planning process.

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Using this template helps you:

1) Define meaningful research questions – Focus on what you actually need to learn, not just what would be interesting to know

2) Select appropriate methods – Choose research approaches that match your specific questions, timeline, and resources

3) Set clear expectations – Help stakeholders understand what insights they'll get (and won't get) from the research

4) Prepare logistics thoroughly – Plan recruitment, scheduling, tools, and team roles before starting fieldwork

5) Document your approach – Create a reference document that aligns everyone involved in the research process

How to use this template

Step 1: Define your research objectives: Start by clarifying why you're conducting this research. Identify the specific decisions or actions that will be informed by your findings. Write clear research questions that, when answered, will provide the insights needed to move forward confidently.

Step 2: Select your research methods: Choose the approaches that best match your research questions, timeline, and resources. Consider combining methods to get both breadth and depth of insights. Explain why these methods are appropriate for addressing your specific objectives.

Step 3: Plan participant recruitment: Define exactly who you need to include in your research based on your objectives and methods. Create screening criteria, determine sample size, and identify recruitment channels. Consider scheduling and incentives to ensure successful participation.

Step 4: Prepare logistics and materials: Outline the practical requirements for your research, including team roles, tools, study materials, and physical/digital environments. Create a detailed timeline working backward from when insights are needed to ensure adequate time for each phase.

Step 5: Define analysis and deliverables: Plan how you'll analyze the data you collect and how you'll present findings to stakeholders. Consider the formats and level of detail needed by different audiences. Set expectations for how the insights will be used to inform decisions.

Key components of a user research plan

1. Research background and context: This section explains why the research is needed and how it connects to broader business or product goals. It provides essential context so anyone reading the plan understands the motivation behind the research project and its strategic importance.

2. Research objectives and questions: The heart of your research plan that defines exactly what you need to learn. Strong research questions are specific, answerable through research, and directly connected to decisions that need to be made. This section keeps everyone focused on the purpose of the research.

3.Methodology selection and rationale: This component outlines which research methods you'll use and why they're appropriate for your specific objectives. It explains the approach in enough detail that stakeholders understand what will happen during the research and what kind of data you'll collect.

4. Participant criteria and recruitment: This section defines exactly who you need to include in your research to get relevant insights. It covers demographics, behaviors, experience levels, and other characteristics that matter for your specific research questions, along with how you'll find these participants.

5. Timeline and resource requirements: A practical breakdown of the research schedule from preparation through deliverables, including team members involved, tools needed, and time commitments. This helps set realistic expectations and ensures adequate resources are allocated to complete the research properly.

6. Deliverables and knowledge sharing: This component outlines what will be produced from the research and how findings will be shared with stakeholders. It sets expectations for the formats, level of detail, and timing of research outputs, as well as how insights will be preserved for future reference.

Create a solid foundation for your next research project. This user research plan template gives your team the structure needed to conduct research that actually impacts decisions, not just creates reports.

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