💡 What is the UX Research Cheat Sheet for Product Managers?
The UX Research Cheat Sheet is a quick-reference visual guide that helps teams select the right user research method for any project — fast.
It simplifies the complexity of research planning by mapping every method across two key dimensions:
Built for product managers, UX/UI designers, junior researchers, and startup founders, this framework demystifies research and turns it into a clear, visual decision-making tool.
🎯 What problem does it solve?
Teams often struggle to choose the right research method, leading to wasted time or misleading results.
This cheat sheet:
Clarifies which methods answer which questions.
Shows when to use them across the product lifecycle (Discover → Define → Develop → Deliver).
Prevents method misuse — like running a survey to solve a usability issue.
Creates a shared, visual language for cross-functional teams.
🧭 What’s inside the template
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1. Research Methods Matrix (2×2)
A visual grid plotting methods along two axes:
Quickly identify which approach suits your current question — whether you’re exploring “Why users do something” or “How many people are affected.”
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2. When to Use Timeline (Double Diamond)
A roadmap showing where each method fits in your design or product process:
Discover: Interviews, Contextual Inquiry, Diary Studies, Surveys
Define: Card Sorting, Tree Testing, Journey Mapping
Develop: Usability Testing, Benchmarking, Analytics Setup
Deliver: A/B Testing, Post-launch Surveys, Funnel Analysis
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3. Method Cards Library
A library of cards, each summarizing a key research method — like Usability Testing, A/B Testing, or Card Sorting.
Each card includes:
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4. Research Plan Lite (Mini Template)
A simple worksheet to define your research goal, hypothesis, and chosen methodology before you begin.
Use this as your kickoff tool for aligning with stakeholders.
🧩 How to use it
Start with your research question: What do we need to learn?
Use the 2×2 Matrix to choose the right method quadrant.
Check the Double Diamond Timeline to find when to run it.
Open the corresponding Method Card for step-by-step guidance.
Plan your session with the Research Plan Lite sheet.
Run your research, synthesize insights, and share outcomes.
⚙️ Who is it for
Product Managers: Need fast, evidence-based decisions.
UX/UI Designers: Want to validate ideas early and often.
Junior Researchers: Looking for structure and clarity.
Startup Founders: Need efficient, ethical validation loops.
🔒 Ethics & Accessibility
The cheat sheet integrates operational guardrails to maintain high research standards:
Recruit inclusively and obtain informed consent.
Keep data secure and anonymized.
Include participants with disabilities in every cycle.
Follow ISO 9241-210 (Human-Centered Design) principles.
📚 References
📘 FAQs
Q: What’s unique about this version?
A: It combines NN/g’s method map with a Double-Diamond workflow and practical templates — all in one Miro board.
Q: Who can benefit from it?
A: Product teams, designers, and researchers who want clarity, speed, and defensible insights.
Q: How long does it take to use?
A: 10 minutes to pick your method. 1 hour to plan your round. Repeat and iterate weekly.
✨ Outcome
Use the UX Research Cheat Sheet to:
✅ Pick methods faster.
✅ Reduce research bias.
✅ Align teams around real data.
✅ Deliver products grounded in user insight — not guesswork.
