Discoveries: Building the Right Thing Flashcards
Framing
Setting up a view of the problem to be solved, including the boundaries of that problem.
More often than not, a design request is…
NOT a framed problem.
Solution-eering
Framing a problem in terms of a specific solution (normally technical).
What is the 5 Why’s technique?
A technique used in root cause analysis where — in conversation with clients or stakeholders — you ask why until you reach the root problem.
Problem
statement
A device used to frame the problem. Problem statements should be pithy. They should set the context of the problem and say why it’s important, highlighting the gap between the current state and the desired state.
The 5 W’s and How method
WHO: Who is affected by the problem?
WHAT: What are the effects of the problem?
WHERE: Where does the problem occur?
WHEN: When does this problem occur?
WHY: Why is this problem important?
HOW: How did this problem occur?
A good problem statement includes what 4 elements?
-Focus on an existing problem
-Focus on one problem only
-Not include a solution
-Be short (4-5 sentences)
How large should discovery teams be?
Small
What 4 roles are on a discovery team?
Research, facilitate, technology research (dev/eng comms), domain expert (connecting the team to people/resources)
What does RACI mean?
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
Define R in RACI.
Responsible: a manager or team member who is directly responsible for successfully completing a project task.
Define the A in RACI.
Accountable: the person with final authority over the successful completion of the specific task or deliverable.
Define the C in RACI.
Consulted: someone with unique insights the team will consult.
Define the I in RACI.
Informed: a client or executive who isn’t directly involved, but you should keep up to speed.
What do objectives focus on?
The problems, not the solution.
Discoveries answer three main questions.
Desirable: Is there a problem that users need us to solve?
Viable: Is there a business need to solve this problem?
Feasible: Is this a problem we can realistically solve?
Time-boxing is…
… a schedule that provides the team with a sense of urgency and avoids discoveries dragging on.
Exploratory research
Research designed to answer ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘why’
questions. Used to uncover unknown unknowns.
Exploratory Research Methods
- User interviews
- Field studies
- Diary studies
User interviews
In discoveries, we typically perform semi-structured interviews (also known as indepth interviews). This provides some structure for the conversation but some flexibility to explore significant issues and experiences relevant to the participant. Typical duration: 20 — 90 minutes
Field Studies
A study performed in the user’s own environment. In discoveries, we perform ethnographic-style research which allows us to collect accurate user behavior in the users’ context. Typical duration: 1 hour — 1 day
Contextual Inquiry
A type of field study which mixes both the semi-structured interview format with observation. Intro interview, Uninterrupted observation, wrap-up interview.
Diary studies
offer another alternative for capturing contextual information. Capture longitudinal data as it happens.
Mapping
is a useful activity in discovery to synthesize insight into one place, create alignment around the problem space, expose unknowns
Types of mapping
Ecosystem maps Experience maps
Service blueprints
User journey maps
Process maps
Ecosystem map
capture all people, products and services in the problem space: useful to get a wide-lens view.
Experience maps
document general human behavior, and are not affiliated with a particular product or service. Chronological
Service blueprints
capture the user experience alongside business processes. Chronological
User journey maps
A visualization of the series of interactions
a person has with a company while attempting to accomplish a goal over time and across channels. Chronological.
Provides a detailed look at the experience of a user segment accomplishing a particular goal. Multiple maps can be used to compare experiences across users, context and goals.
Process maps
reveals process complexities
The purpose of constructing HMW’s is…
to frame ideation on the right problems and the right outcomes.
HMW’s should be:
-Written in response to something you’ve learnt
-Broad
-Solution agnostic
-Focus on desirable outcomes
-Written positively
Hypotheses
An assertion which can be tested and either rejected or confirmed.
((We believe that [doing this] will result in [this outcome or behavior].))
How is a HMW answered?
With a hypothesis
