About Making Research Matter

Most UX research is done well enough. The interviews happen, the usability tests run, and the findings are clear. On paper, it all looks solid. Then things stall out, and a few weeks later, nothing looks different.

After 25+ years doing this work, that pattern shows up more than it should.

What this publication is about

This is where I write about what it takes for research to actually lead to action, from how it’s conducted to how it’s shared.

A lot of it starts earlier than people expect. The way a study is designed, the questions you ask, and the techniques you use all shape whether the work sticks later. Projective techniques (like product love/breakup letters, collage building, product reaction cards, etc.) are a good example. They can shift how people see a problem, not just how they talk about it.

Other times, things fall apart after the research is done. The findings are there, but they don’t land. The conversation moves on, priorities change, and the work fades out. Most of the time, it’s a mix. A few small decisions, a few missed moments, and the work slowly loses momentum.

I’ll write about both sides of this. How to run research so it has a better chance of influencing decisions, and how to share it so it doesn’t fade out after a single meeting.

Some of what I’ll share worked. Some of it didn’t. It all comes from real projects, with real constraints, and real tradeoffs.

About me

I’m Kyle Soucy, a UX researcher with over 25 years of experience.

I run an independent consulting practice called Usable Interface, where I help teams understand their users through qualitative research, usability testing, and strategy work. You can find me on Linkedin here. I’ve also spent a lot of time teaching, speaking, and mentoring, which means I’ve seen the same issues show up across different teams and companies.

Most of my thinking these days circles around a simple question: how do you run and share research in a way that actually leads to change?

I also host The UX Consultants Lounge, a podcast where I talk with other experienced practitioners about consulting, the ups and downs of the work, and how people keep it going over time.

If this sounds familiar

I’ve conducted a fair share of research that was very well received but never seemed to make a difference. If you’ve ever finished a research study and thought it should have had more impact, this publication is for you.