You’re unsure where to start
You know research is needed, but you’re not sure which questions should be answered first.
Research Plan
A structured research plan to help you identify the right research questions, choose the most appropriate research methods and make confident product decisions before research begins.
Fixed Price
£4,995 + VATor PAYG
Designed for
- One product, service or proposition
- Your highest-priority research questions
- Existing evidence and documentation
- Research planning before delivery
- Two-week engagement
Need something different? Larger or more complex projects are usually better suited to a bespoke engagement.
How do I know if my project is the right fit? ↓What a research plan actually is
Better research starts with better questions.
A Research Plan helps you identify what your organisation needs to learn before deciding how to learn it.
Instead of jumping straight into interviews, surveys or usability testing, the engagement defines the research questions that matter most, recommends the most appropriate methods and creates a practical roadmap for generating meaningful evidence.
You’ll leave with a clear research direction, agreed priorities and the confidence to commission research that answers the questions that matter most.
Common problems
Everyone wants different answers
Different stakeholders have different priorities, making it difficult to agree what research should happen first.
You’re answering questions that don’t change decisions
Research is being driven by assumptions rather than the information your team genuinely needs to move forward.
You want to avoid wasted effort
Plan the right research before investing time, budget and resources.
Why work with me
The best research doesn’t begin with choosing a method. It begins with understanding the decision you’re trying to make.
Organisations often invest in research before agreeing what they actually need to learn. That leads to unnecessary activity, conflicting priorities and evidence that never influences delivery.
My approach combines user research, UX and product thinking to define meaningful research objectives, recommend the most appropriate methods and focus effort where it creates the greatest value.
You’ll leave with a practical research plan that gives your team clarity before any research begins.
Is this right for you?
- 01
You’re planning a new product or service
You need to understand what research should happen before delivery begins.
- 02
Everyone has different priorities
You want one research plan that aligns stakeholders around the questions that matter most.
- 03
You’re about to invest in research
You want confidence that your research investment will answer the questions that matter most.
- 04
You want a structured approach
You need a clear plan rather than deciding research activities as the project progresses.
What you’ll receive
Kick-off session
A focused discussion to understand your objectives, existing knowledge and research goals.
Research objectives
Clearly defined questions that the research should answer.
Research methodology
Recommended research methods with clear rationale explaining what to use, when and why.
Prioritised research roadmap
A practical plan showing what research should happen, when and in what order.
Playback session
A collaborative walkthrough of the recommendations with time for discussion and refinement.
Written summary
A concise document your team can use to plan and commission future research activities.
What’s not included
- Participant recruitment
- Research moderation
- Participant incentives
- Research delivery
- International research
Example deliverables
01
Research Plan document
A structured plan defining the research objectives, recommended methods and delivery sequence.
02
Research objectives document
Clearly defined research questions aligned around the decisions your team needs to make.
03
Research methodology
Recommended research methods with rationale explaining what to use and why.
04
Prioritised research roadmap
A practical sequence of research activities ready for planning or commissioning.
Typical timeline
Week 1
Discovery and planning
Kick-off session, evidence review and definition of research objectives.
Week 2
Recommendations and roadmap
Research plan, methodology recommendations and playback session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of projects is this designed for?
A Research Plan is designed for teams preparing to make product, service or proposition decisions where better evidence is needed before delivery begins. Typical examples include: • A new product or service entering discovery. • A proposition that needs validation before investment. • A product team unsure which research questions matter most. • A roadmap that needs stronger user evidence. • A project where stakeholders disagree on what should be researched first. Larger or more complex projects are usually better suited to a bespoke engagement.
What’s included in a Research Plan?
The engagement includes a kick-off session, review of existing evidence, clearly defined research objectives, recommended methods, a practical research roadmap and a playback session with your team.
How do you decide which research methods to recommend?
Methods are recommended based on the decisions your team needs to make, the evidence already available, the level of uncertainty and the practical constraints around time, budget and access to users.
Can a Research Plan be used by our internal team?
Yes. The plan is designed to be practical enough for internal teams to use when planning, commissioning or delivering future research activities.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Manchester, UK and work with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally. Most projects are delivered remotely, although I’m happy to travel for workshops, stakeholder sessions and key project milestones where required.
Do you work remotely?
Yes. Most projects are delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Working remotely allows me to support organisations across the UK and internationally while remaining flexible and cost-effective.
Will I work directly with you?
Yes. Every project is delivered by me. If additional specialist support is ever needed, I’ll discuss it with you first, but you’ll always work directly with me throughout the project.
Can you work alongside our existing team?
Absolutely. Many clients already have designers, researchers, developers or product managers in place. I can provide additional capacity, independent advice or senior support without disrupting the way your team already works.
Do you only work with large organisations?
No. I’ve worked with startups, SMEs, agencies, charities, public sector organisations and global enterprises. Every engagement is tailored to the size, complexity and goals of the organisation.
What if my project doesn’t fit one of your fixed engagements?
The fixed engagements are designed around the most common types of engagement. If your project requires something different, I’ll create a bespoke proposal based on your goals, timescales and scope.
How quickly can you start?
Availability varies throughout the year, but many fixed engagements can begin within one to two weeks. If you have an urgent requirement, let me know and I’ll always do my best to accommodate it.
Do you sign NDAs and work with confidential information?
Yes. Much of my work has involved commercially sensitive products, government services and confidential research. I’m happy to sign NDAs and regularly work with organisations where confidentiality is essential.
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Ready to improve your product?
UX, research and product leadership for teams tackling complex digital services.
Previous feedback
I had a fantastic experience working with Andy. One of his most impressive achievements during our time at NHS HEE was masterminding a deeply complex information architecture for a new platform that brought together a large number of legacy websites.
Will Parkhouse
Senior Content Designer
If you want to make confident product decisions by asking the right research questions before research begins, let’s discuss whether a Research Plan is the right place to start.