---
type: insight
version: 0.1
schema: stratmd
last_updated: 2026-02-04
owner: Product Team
---

# Insight: Users Want Templates, Not Flexibility

## Summary

User research reveals that professional services firms value pre-built templates
over customization options. The "blank canvas" approach we've taken is actually
a barrier to adoption.

## Evidence

**Quantitative:**
- 23 of 30 user interviews mentioned wanting "starting points"
- Competitors with templates have 2x higher activation rates
- Template-related support tickets: 127 in last quarter

**Qualitative:**
- "I don't have time to figure out the best way to set this up"
- "I just want something that works for consultants like me"
- "Show me what good looks like"

## Implications

1. Our product architecture prioritizes flexibility over guidance
2. Onboarding flow assumes users know what they want
3. Documentation focuses on "how" not "what"
4. Competitors are winning on time-to-value

## Suggested Actions

- [ ] Create 5 industry-specific templates
- [ ] Add template selection to onboarding (before workspace creation)
- [ ] Rewrite getting started guide around use cases
- [ ] Add "Start from template" as primary CTA

## Links

| Type       | Target                    | Relevance                  |
|------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
| Informs    | [[product-market-fit]]    | Validates focus approach   |
| Challenges | [[flexibility-principle]] | May need revision          |
| Supports   | [[I3]]                    | Template library initiative|

## Processing Notes

- Source: Q1 2026 user research study
- Analyst: Maria Chen
- Methodology: 30 semi-structured interviews, 15 usability tests
- Confidence: High (consistent across segments)