Research Planning
Good research starts with clear questions and a solid plan.
What is it?
Research planning defines what you want to learn, how you'll learn it, and who you'll learn from. A well-structured research plan aligns stakeholders, prevents scope creep, and ensures findings are actionable.
When to use it
Plan research at the start of any project phase that requires user understanding: discovery, validation, or post-launch evaluation.
How to do it
Define your research objectives: what decisions will this research inform?
Formulate specific research questions (not interview questions, research questions).
Choose methods that match your questions: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.
Plan logistics: timeline, participants, tools, and budget.
Align stakeholders on the plan and expected deliverables.
Pro tips
If you can't explain how findings will influence a decision, refine your objectives.
Share the plan with your team before starting. It builds buy-in and surfaces blind spots.