How do you define the goals of your user research project?

1 Identify the problem or opportunity

The first step is to identify the problem or opportunity you want to address with your user research. This could be a specific pain point, a gap in the market, a new feature idea, or a redesign of an existing product. You should be able to articulate the problem or opportunity in one sentence, and explain why it is important for your users and business.

2 Define the research objectives

The research objectives are the specific questions you want to answer with your user research. These questions should be aligned with the problem or opportunity, and should be clear, measurable, and actionable. For example, if your problem is that users are not completing a certain task on your website, your research objectives could be to find out why they are not completing it, what the barriers and motivations are, and how you can improve the user experience.

3 Determine the scope and constraints

The scope and constraints refer to the factors that limit or define what you can and cannot do. These factors could include the budget, timeline, resources, stakeholders, ethical issues, and technical limitations. Be realistic and prioritize what is essential and what is nice to have, and communicate the scope and constraints to your team and clients.

4 Choose the research methods

Choose the research methods that are best suited for your research objectives, scope, and constraints. There are many types of user research methods, such as interviews, surveys, usability tests, diary studies, and card sorting. Consider the pros and cons of each method, and how they can help you collect the data you need. Also think about how you will recruit and screen participants, and how you will prepare the materials and tools.

5 Plan the research activities

Plan the specific tasks you and your team will do to conduct the user research. These tasks could include creating a research plan, writing a script or questionnaire, setting up a test environment, conducting sessions, taking notes, recording data, and debriefing. Assign roles and create a schedule and checklist for each activity.

6 Step 6: Define the success criteria

The success criteria are the indicators that show whether you have achieved your research objectives and solved the problem. These indicators could be quantitative or qualitative, such as metrics, feedback, insights, or prototypes. Define how you will measure and report the success criteria, and how you will use them to inform your design decisions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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