User research: the evidence you need to justify the next phase
User research is essential to justify investment and progress, but gathering too much data too early wastes effort. The challenge is to provide enough evidence to make a defensible decision at each stage, without slowing momentum.
The evidence reviewers look for
- User need: What problems or pain points have been observed, and how widespread are they?
- Link to outcomes: How does addressing this need tie to measurable service, business, or policy outcomes?
- Options explored: What solutions or approaches were tested, and how did users respond?
- Proportional effort: Is the depth of research appropriate for this stage — signals in early phases, validation in later ones?
Right-sizing research to the stage
At early concept phases, focus on identifying patterns and unmet needs. At later phases, build depth by validating usability, demand, and scalability. The evidence should grow in proportion to the decision being made — not beyond it.
How the Value Map Framework helps
Use the Value Map Framework to translate research into decisions. Map:
- WHY: The user need and its urgency.
- WHAT: The recommended solution or next phase.
- HOW: Trade-offs across risk, speed, and cost, informed by research evidence.
- NOW: The immediate step forward, with owner and deadline.
Why this works
- Efficient: Research is kept lean and purposeful.
- Defensible: Decisions are backed by evidence reviewers can follow.
- Practical: Progress is maintained while insight builds over time.
Making confident choices simple
Right-sized research avoids both extremes: paralysis by analysis and risky guesswork. This is how Clarity. ensures decisions are fast, evidence-based, and easy to defend — turning insight into momentum.