Pyramid Principle Reporting for User Research
Nikki Anderson
User research strategy and AI infastruct
Write research reports that stakeholders read, trust and act on
If you've ever spent weeks on a study, written it up carefully and then watched stakeholders skim it, ask you to summarize it on a call, or make the decision without it, I know how deflating that feels. Early in my career I spent weeks on a lengthy reports, and the first thing the product team asked was what the should do with it. The research was solid, but the way I structured and wrote about it never landed.
Research teams are under more pressure to show impact, stakeholders read reports in the gaps between meetings, and AI makes it easy for anyone to produce a list of findings. What stakeholders need from you now is a clear answer, the case behind it and what to do next.
In this 3-hour workshop I walk you through the full Pyramid Principle system I use for every report, from writing your first sentence to choosing key arguments, packaging evidence so it reads like a case and building an action plan with owners. You'll see real before-and-after examples at each step and leave with a report skeleton you can reuse, so your next report is easier to write and easier to act on.
What you’ll learn
Go from reports that get skimmed to reports that lead with a clear answer, make a convincing case and end in decisions your team acts on
Learn the answer-first structure and how it compares to the background, methods, findings order most of us were taught
Get my report skeleton with headings you can reuse on every report, from the executive summary to the appendix
Walk through a full before-and-after report, restructured section by section
Use my first-sentence formulas for different study types, from usability tests to generative interviews
Compare weak and strong opening sentences side by side, including the mistakes I made most often
Learn how to lead with one clear insight when your study uncovered several
Pick the reasons that support your main insight instead of listing every finding from your study
Decide when to order your arguments by impact and when to follow the user journey
Rewrite vague arguments into specific, measurable statements stakeholders understand quickly
Combine quantitative data, user quotes and benchmarks to back up each key argument
Use the argument, evidence and implication structure so every data point connects to what it means
Learn how to include conflicting data in a way that builds trust in your findings
Rewrite vague recommendations into realistic next steps with a clear first action
Prioritize recommendations by impact and effort so teams know where to start
See weak and strong recommendations side by side from real reports
Build the action plan block that answers "so what?" before stakeholders ask it
Assign owners and next steps so your research keeps moving after the readout
Write an executive summary stakeholders can read in two minutes and still know what to do
Workshop agenda
Why research reports get skimmed
I walk through what I changed so my reports started leading to product decisions
The Pyramid Principle and my report skeleton
I show you the answer-first structure next to the background-first order most of us were taught, then walk you through the report skeleton I use for every study
Writing your opening sentence
I share my first-sentence formulas for different study types and rewrite weak openings from my own past reports, including how I lead with one insight when a study found several
Choosing your key arguments
I show you how I narrow a long list of findings down to two to four arguments, how I decide what order they go in, and how I rewrite vague arguments into specific ones
Packaging your evidence
I walk through how I combine data, quotes and benchmarks for each argument, how I link every data point to what it means, and how I include conflicting data without weakening the case
Recommendations and the action plan
I show you how I turn findings into specific, realistic recommendations, prioritize them by impact and effort, and build the action plan with owners that closes every report
Q&A
Ask me anything!
Who this workshop is for
UX researchers who do solid research and then watch their reports get skimmed, misread or left in a folder after the readout
Research leads and managers who want one clear report structure their whole team uses, so every study leads to a decision
Newer researchers, or those coming from academia, who want a structure stakeholders will read
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Nikki Anderson in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Bonus template and skill
A template and AI skill that you can use to get you started on your pyramid reporting
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A dedicated cohort with a custom schedule and curriculum, tailored to your team.
Book a private cohort$250
USD
9:30am–12:30pm EST