---
title: Research Brief Template
description: Template for research documents
author: Joshua Levy (github.com/jlevy) with LLM assistance
---
# Research: [Topic]

**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD (last updated YYYY-MM-DD)

**Author:** [Name]

**Status:** In Progress | Complete

## Overview

> What we’re researching and why.
> Include the motivating use case or decision context: what question needs to be
> answered, what decision depends on this research, or what problem prompted the
> investigation.

## Questions to Answer

1. Question 1?
2. Question 2?
3. Question 3?

## Scope

> What’s included and excluded from this research.

## Findings

### [Subtopic 1]

> Key findings here.

### [Subtopic 2]

> Key findings here.

## Key Insights *(optional)*

> Synthesis and analysis beyond raw findings.
> Include counterintuitive results, surprising discoveries, or important distinctions
> that emerged from the research.
> This section is for the “so what?”—conclusions that aren’t obvious from the individual
> findings alone.

## Comparison Matrix *(optional — for comparative research)*

> When evaluating multiple options or technologies, a structured comparison table is
> often the most useful artifact.
> Define the dimensions/criteria that matter for the decision, then fill in the table.
> Include cost, performance, maturity, and other relevant dimensions.

| Criterion | Option A | Option B | Option C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Criterion 1] |  |  |  |
| [Criterion 2] |  |  |  |
| [Criterion 3] |  |  |  |

## Options Considered

### Option A: [Name]

**Description:** What this option involves.

**Pros:**
- Pro 1
- Pro 2

**Cons:**
- Con 1
- Con 2

### Option B: [Name]

**Description:** What this option involves.

**Pros:**
- Pro 1
- Pro 2

**Cons:**
- Con 1
- Con 2

### Eliminated Options *(optional)*

> Options that were considered but ruled out early, with reasoning.
> Documenting why alternatives were eliminated is often as valuable as documenting why
> the recommendation was chosen.

- **[Option X]:** Eliminated because [reason].
- **[Option Y]:** Eliminated because [reason].

## Recommendations

> Based on the findings, we recommend …

## Next Steps

- [ ] Action item 1
- [ ] Action item 2

## Methodology *(optional — for complex or high-stakes research)*

> How the research was conducted: what searches were run, what sources were
> cross-referenced, what information was not found or remains uncertain.

## References

> List sources, noting the type when it affects confidence (official docs, vendor
> marketing, independent benchmarks, community discussion, etc.).

- [Link 1](url)
- [Link 2](url)

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