DEFINE USER RESEARCH PLAN

User research focuses on understanding User expectations, behaviours, needs, and motivations through methodical, investigative approaches. The insights you gain are then used to ensure that all product design decisions do benefit the User.

An idea that suits an extreme User will nearly certainly work for the majority of Users. Without understanding what people on the far reaches of your solution need, you will not arrive at answers that can work for everyone. Talking to people at the extreme end of your product or service spectrum, can spark your creativity by exposing you to interactions, workarounds and design opportunities that you would never have imagined.

It is important to note that the purpose of engaging with extreme users is not to develop solutions for those users, but to sieve out problems that mainstream users might have trouble voicing.

🗝️ STEPS

Identify your EXTREME AND MAINSTREAM USERS.

Target both the big broad mainstream and those on either extreme of the spectrum. An idea that suits an extreme user will nearly certainly work for the majority of others. Remember extremes can fall on a number of spectrums and you want variety. Each will offer you a different take on your project, i.e. new thinking for you.

Define your AUDIENCE for research.

Define your audience for research. Before you dig into your in-context research, it is critical to know who you are designing for. You are bound to learn more once you are in the field, but having an idea of your target audience’s needs, contexts, and history will help ensure that you start your research by asking smart questions.

Identify who you want to INTERVIEW.

List the people/groups/experts you want to interview.  What aspects of the interviewee’s life, values and habits you want to learn.  What methods of interview you will employ to gather information.

Identify who you want to OBSERVE.

List the distinct activities, behaviours and emotions you are looking to research. Identify the various situations where you might observe these activities.

Define what and how you will perform SECONDARY RESEARCH.

List the People/Groups/Experts who can provide additional information on the Aspects of a User's life, values, habits and how will you get access to this Research.

💯 TIPS

Target both the big broad mainstream and those on either extreme of the spectrum. An idea that suits an extreme user will nearly certainly work for the majority of others.

Remember extremes can fall on a number of spectrums and you want variety. Each will offer you a different take on your project, i.e. new thinking for you.

Identify users who do not really care to use the product or service and those who have high demands from the product or service.

Identify users from a spectrum of physical, cognitive, social and cultural contexts

When talking to an extreme, ask them how they would use your solution. Ask them if they use something similar now and how it does or does not suit their needs.

Select appropriate contacts to help arrange meetings and individual interviews. Make sure you are talking to men and women. You might even stumble across an extreme user in another context and want to talk to them there.

Be sensitive to certain extremes when you interview them. They may often be left out of discussions like these so make them feel welcome and let them know that their voices are critical to your research.

Plan your primary and secondary research, brainstorm on the questions you wish to ask from your user, for which you may refer to our User Interview guide.