Prompt Library Template for UX Research Teams

When I first joined a UX research team, I quickly realized how much time was wasted reinventing the wheel. Every project required crafting new prompts for interviews, surveys, or usability tests, often from scratch. This slowed down the process and sometimes led to inconsistent data. That’s when I started building a prompt library template tailored for UX research teams. It transformed how we worked, making research faster, clearer, and more reliable.

If you are part of a UX research team, you know how critical it is to ask the right questions. A well-organized prompt library can save hours, improve collaboration, and ensure your research stays focused on user needs. In this post, I’ll share how to create a prompt library template that fits your team’s workflow and boosts your research quality.

Prompt Library Template

Why UX Research Teams Need a Prompt Library

UX research depends on asking clear, consistent questions. Without a shared resource, team members often create prompts independently, which leads to:

• Inconsistent data that’s hard to compare across studies

• Wasted time rewriting similar questions for each project

• Lost knowledge when researchers leave or change roles

  
  

A prompt library acts as a centralized collection of tested, reusable prompts. It helps teams:

• Maintain question quality by refining prompts over time

• Speed up research design by reusing proven questions

• Share knowledge easily across team members and projects

  
  

For example, when our team started using a prompt library, we cut the time spent preparing interview guides by 40%. We also noticed more consistent responses because participants were asked similar questions across studies.

How to Build Your Prompt Library Template

Creating a prompt library template involves organizing prompts in a way that’s easy to access, update, and apply. Here’s a step-by-step approach I recommend:

1. Define Categories Based on Research Goals

Group prompts by the type of research or the goal they serve. Common categories include:

• User background questions to understand demographics and context

• Task-related prompts focused on specific user actions

• Usability feedback questions about ease of use or pain points

• Emotional response prompts to capture feelings and motivations

  
  

This structure helps researchers quickly find relevant prompts for their study type.

2. Include Clear Instructions for Each Prompt

Each prompt should have a brief note explaining:

• When to use it

• What kind of answer you expect

• Any tips for follow-up questions

  
  

For example, a prompt like “Can you describe how you usually complete this task?” might include a note: Use this early in interviews to gather open-ended insights about user habits.

3. Use a Consistent Format

Keep the template simple and uniform. I suggest columns or fields for:

• Prompt text

• Category

• Purpose

• Expected response type (open-ended, rating scale, yes/no)

• Notes or examples

  
  

This makes it easy to scan and update the library.

4. Make It Collaborative and Editable

Store your prompt library in a shared document or tool where all team members can contribute and suggest improvements. Tools like Google Sheets, Notion, or Airtable work well.

Encourage researchers to add new prompts after each project and flag ones that need revision.

5. Review and Refine Regularly

Set a schedule to review the prompt library every few months. Remove outdated prompts, improve unclear questions, and add new ones based on recent research findings.

This keeps your library fresh and relevant.

Practical Example of a Prompt Library Template

Here’s a simplified example of how a prompt library template might look in a spreadsheet:

This format helps researchers quickly pick prompts that fit their study goals.

Close-up of a digital prompt library template displayed on a tablet

Tips for Getting Your Team Onboard

Building a prompt library only works if the whole team uses it. Here are some tips that helped us:

• Start small with a few key categories and prompts, then expand gradually

• Host a workshop to introduce the library and gather input from researchers

• Assign a librarian role to keep the library updated and organized

• Celebrate wins by sharing how the library saved time or improved research results

  
  

Final Thoughts on Using a Prompt Library Template

A prompt library template is a simple tool that can make a big difference in UX research. It saves time, improves question quality, and helps teams work more consistently. If your team struggles with creating prompts or wants to improve research efficiency, building a prompt library is a smart step.