Tips for effective communication

At a low level, you need to be aware that prior knowledge of user research and the project may vary within the audience. Tips for effective communication at this level include:

• always spell out acronyms and explain jargon terms the first time they appear
• determine an appropriate level of detail
• be concise and clear
• be ready to explain user research methodologies and approaches in more detail if requested

At a higher level, project sponsors and senior management may prefer separate meetings with the team and for high-level information to be shared in advance. This means that technical things can be discussed in detail and that any concerns can be addressed prior to the information being shared with a wider audience.

You should also invite your team, stakeholders and people in your organisation who deal with users to show and tells and other activities where you share what you’ve learned from user research.

If you would like to know learn more about writing in plain, effective English, Government Campus UK has a course here on FutureLearn: Foundations of Writing.