How to Write a Research Brief That Leads to Action

Pull up the last five research briefs your team received. For each one, check whether it states the specific decision the research will inform, names the decision-maker, includes what is already known, and defines what a useful answer looks like. How many pass all four checks? A brief that leads to action answers seven questions.

The Seven Questions

1. What decision does this research inform?

Checkpoint: Can you state the decision in one sentence? If the brief does not name a decision, the research has no destination.

2. Who is the decision-maker?

3. What do we already know?

Checkpoint: Can you find all previous research on this subject in under five minutes?

4. What are the specific questions?

5. What would a useful answer look like?

Checkpoint: Does your brief template have a field for this?

6. What is the timeline?

Checkpoint: Is the research timeline connected to the product timeline?

7. What will happen with the findings?

Checkpoint: Of the studies completed last quarter, how many had a pre-agreed plan for what would happen with the findings?

After the Brief Is Written

Share it for a feasibility check before work begins.

Checkpoint: Does your team have a standard process for reviewing briefs before work begins?

What Good Looks Like

A strong brief reads like a contract between the commissioning stakeholder and the research team. If briefs do not include these elements, it is probably because the template does not require them and the process does not enforce them.