user interview wahl_upa
TRANSCRIPT
The User Interview The only real cost is your time
Katherine Wahl Usability Consultant, MIT
UPA 2012, Las Vegas
Versatility
Versatility: Location
Versatility: Format
¤ Questions ¤ Structured or unstructured
¤ Workflow or task oriented
Versatility: Format
Versatility: Timing
Requirements gathering &
spec creation
Prototyping, design
Coding Alpha/Beta
Release, QA, Docs & Training
Project Timeline
Preparation
Preparation: Goals
¤ Set reasonable goals
¤ Discuss them with your client
¤ Good chance to make clear what NOT to expect
Preparation: Participants
¤ Define your audience
¤ Pad your schedule
¤ Confirm your appointments
Preparation: Questions
¤ Draft and revise your questions
¤ Be mindful of bias
¤ Think about timing
¤ Know your material well
Preparation: Tools
The interview: Set expectations
The interview
¤ Listen
¤ Observe
The interview
¤ Clarify
¤ Record quotes
The interview: Be ready for surprises
Reporting
¤ Summarize major themes
¤ Include quotes
¤ Deliver results in person
Advantages: process
¤ Sessions can be set up and run quickly
¤ Open to an iterative process
¤ Not dependent on developers
Advantages: data
¤ Data is from real users
¤ Opportunity to develop a deep understanding of users
Challenges
¤ Defining goals
¤ Getting the questions right
¤ Listening carefully
¤ Analyzing the data
Things to remember
¤ Prepare thoroughly
¤ Listen carefully
¤ Record quotes accurately