Context
Research shapes product decisions, but the evidence ends up scattered across chats, roadmaps and memory. As a result, we report what we did, not what it changed.
I adapted an industry framework into a system for tracking research impact, from planning a study to reporting results each quarter.
I adapted an industry framework into a system for tracking research impact, from planning a study to reporting results each quarter.
Constraints
Time: It needed to fit into a short weekly routine.
Delayed impact: Hardware outcomes can arrive months after a study ends
Data access: Product and business data is scattered across teams
Delayed impact: Hardware outcomes can arrive months after a study ends
Data access: Product and business data is scattered across teams
Key decisions
Define the decision first: Before a study starts, write down which decision it should inform.
Track early impact: Log signals and decisions as impact, in addition to final outcomes.
Report each quarter: Combine entries into a short quarterly summary for stakeholders.
Track early impact: Log signals and decisions as impact, in addition to final outcomes.
Report each quarter: Combine entries into a short quarterly summary for stakeholders.
Process
Plan → Notice → Log → Follow up → Report
Where does research impact come from?
Plan: Before the study, write down which decision it should inform.
Notice: Watch for signs the research is being used.
Log: Record who used the research, what they did, and what changed.
Follow up: Check in with the team 4–6 weeks later.
Report: Share a short summary each quarter.
Notice: Watch for signs the research is being used.
Log: Record who used the research, what they did, and what changed.
Follow up: Check in with the team 4–6 weeks later.
Report: Share a short summary each quarter.
How research impact is planned, tracked and reported.
Four impact horizons: signal, decision, change and outcome.
Impact
Framework: Built a repeatable way to plan, track and report research impact.
Visibility: Created a way to show stakeholders which decisions research informed.
Visibility: Created a way to show stakeholders which decisions research informed.
