Highlight reel
A highlight reel is a short compilation of video or audio clips from research sessions, edited to show stakeholders the key findings in participants' own voices. It is one of the most persuasive ways to share research.
How it works
During sessions, observers flag strong moments; afterward, the researcher selects clips that illustrate each finding, each short enough to make one point, and orders them by theme. A reel is usually a few minutes long, often opened with a slide stating the finding and followed by clips from several participants, so viewers see a pattern rather than one person.
Video evidence builds empathy and overcomes skepticism in a way a summary cannot. Nielsen Norman Group describes it as a strong tool for storytelling with stakeholders. Selection needs discipline: clips must represent the findings honestly, not only the most dramatic moments, and participant consent must cover the use.
A worked example
A software company's leadership doubts that onboarding is a problem. The research team shows a 4-minute reel: 6 new customers, one after another, unable to find where to invite colleagues. After it, the onboarding fix moves from next year's plan to next month's sprint.
Related
Automate this in Pulse
The moments a highlight reel needs can be found in Pulse transcripts and played from the matching recording, keeping every excerpt tied to its full interview.