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Tools for Managing UX Research KPIs

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader


Measuring the success of user experience (UX) research is essential for improving products and services. However, managing UX research key performance indicators (KPIs) can be challenging without the right tools. This post explores practical tools that help teams track, analyze, and report UX research KPIs effectively.


Eye-level view of a laptop screen displaying UX research data dashboards
Dashboard showing UX research KPIs and metrics

Why Tracking UX Research KPIs Matters


UX research KPIs provide clear evidence of how users interact with a product and how design changes impact user satisfaction. Tracking these KPIs helps teams:


  • Identify usability issues early

  • Measure improvements after design updates

  • Align research findings with business goals

  • Communicate results clearly to stakeholders


Without tools to manage these KPIs, teams risk losing valuable insights or spending excessive time on manual data collection.


Essential Features to Look for in UX Research KPI Tools


When choosing tools for managing UX research KPIs, consider these features:


  • Data integration: Ability to connect with various research platforms and analytics tools.

  • Customizable dashboards: Visualize KPIs in ways that fit your team’s needs.

  • Collaboration support: Share findings easily with team members and stakeholders.

  • Automated reporting: Save time by generating reports automatically.

  • User-friendly interface: Ensure all team members can use the tool without steep learning curves.


Popular Tools for Managing UX Research KPIs


1. Airtable


Airtable combines spreadsheet functionality with database features, making it ideal for organizing UX research data and KPIs. You can create custom fields for different metrics, link related data, and build dashboards to track progress.


  • Use Airtable to log user feedback, usability test results, and survey scores.

  • Set up views to monitor KPIs like task success rate or time on task.

  • Automate reminders for follow-up research or data updates.


2. Lookback.io


Lookback.io focuses on user research sessions, capturing video, audio, and screen recordings. It allows teams to tag moments during sessions and generate insights directly tied to user behavior.


  • Analyze qualitative data alongside quantitative KPIs.

  • Export session highlights to share with stakeholders.

  • Combine Lookback.io data with other analytics tools for a full picture.


3. Google Data Studio


Google Data Studio offers powerful data visualization capabilities. It connects with multiple data sources, including Google Analytics and survey platforms, to create interactive KPI dashboards.


  • Build real-time dashboards tracking metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) or user satisfaction.

  • Customize reports to focus on specific user segments or time periods.

  • Share dashboards with team members for ongoing collaboration.


4. Dovetail


Dovetail is designed specifically for UX research teams. It helps organize qualitative data, tag insights, and link findings to KPIs.


  • Store interview transcripts, notes, and survey responses in one place.

  • Tag data points to track themes related to KPIs such as ease of use or feature adoption.

  • Generate reports that combine qualitative insights with quantitative metrics.


5. UserZoom


UserZoom provides a comprehensive platform for UX research, including usability testing, surveys, and analytics. It offers built-in KPI tracking and benchmarking tools.


  • Conduct remote usability tests and gather quantitative data.

  • Track KPIs like task completion rate and error rate.

  • Benchmark results against industry standards.


How to Use These Tools Effectively


Define Clear KPIs


Start by defining KPIs that align with your research goals. Examples include:


  • Task success rate

  • Time on task

  • User satisfaction score

  • Error rate

  • Net Promoter Score (NPS)


Clear KPIs help focus your research and make data easier to interpret.


Integrate Data Sources


Combine data from different tools to get a complete view. For example, use Lookback.io for qualitative insights and Google Data Studio for quantitative metrics. Integration reduces manual work and improves accuracy.


Regularly Review and Update KPIs


UX research is an ongoing process. Review your KPIs regularly to ensure they remain relevant. Adjust tools and dashboards as your product and user needs evolve.


Share Insights with Stakeholders


Use collaboration features to keep stakeholders informed. Visual dashboards and automated reports make it easier to communicate findings and justify design decisions.




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