user-interview-synthesis

User Interview Synthesis Skill

Transform raw interview transcripts into a structured synthesis document that surfaces themes, pain points, and actionable insights.

Required Inputs

Ask the user for these if not provided:

• Interview transcripts or notes (even rough notes work)
• Number of participants and their profiles (role, company size, context)
• Research questions (what was the study trying to answer?)
• Date range of research (for context)

Process

1. Read all provided transcripts fully before drawing conclusions
2. Identify recurring themes (minimum 3 mentions to qualify as a theme)
3. Categorize findings into: Pain Points, Workflow Insights, Feature Requests, Delight Moments
4. Select 2-3 verbatim quotes per theme that best represent the pattern
5. Draft "So What" implications for each theme — what does this mean for the product?
6. Validate — Confirm every theme has quotes from at least 3 participants. Flag any insight resting on fewer as low-confidence.

Output Structure

Research Synthesis: [Study Name]

Participants: [n] Date Range: [dates] Research Questions: [list]

Theme 1: [Theme Name]

• Summary (2-3 sentences)
• Supporting quotes (from at least 3 participants)
• Implication for product

[Repeat for each theme]

Low-Confidence Signals (1-2 participants only)

[Findings worth tracking but not acting on yet — note what further research would confirm or deny]

Recommended Next Steps

[Specific, actionable recommendations based on findings]

Quality Checks

• Every theme is supported by quotes from at least 3 participants
• Implications connect to specific product decisions, not just observations
• Researcher bias check: no leading language, findings don't all support one hypothesis
• Single-source signals are flagged separately, not mixed into main themes
• Research questions from the study brief are each addressed (even if the answer is "inconclusive")

Anti-Patterns

• Do not mix single-source signals into main themes — insights cited by only one participant must be flagged separately
• Do not write implications that are observations restated rather than product decisions enabled
• Do not include themes that only support the project hypothesis — contradictory findings must be surfaced, not omitted
• Do not present findings without quotes — every theme requires verbatim evidence from at least 3 participants
• Do not leave research questions unanswered — each question from the study brief must be explicitly addressed, even if the answer is inconclusive