Formulate a mini research plan by clearly defining the next decision to make and establishing one to two learning goals that will guide research efforts. Focus on what is essential to know in order to facilitate the decision-making process, as many teams tend to conflate decisions with learning goals. Prioritize the most critical learning objectives and avoid the temptation to explore too many areas at once, which can dilute the quality of insights and lead to conflicting data. Narrow down the target customer base to ensure that feedback is relevant and actionable; engaging with a few well-chosen individuals can yield deeper insights than a broad approach. Concentrating on specific audiences allows for more coherent and useful qualitative data, enhancing the likelihood of identifying clear patterns that support informed decisions.
Our guest today is Jeanette Mellinger, Head of UX Research at BetterUp and our User Research Expert in Residence at First Round.
In today’s conversation, Jeanette unspools her tested playbook for high-quality customer interviews, with particular advice for founders in the very early days of validating an idea, including:
- The three-step framework for a thorough user-research process
- The biggest mistakes she’s noticed after working with dozens of early-stage companies
- Specific advice for structuring an interview flow and crafting better questions that unlock essential insights
You can follow Jeanette on Twitter at @jnetmell
You can email us questions directly at review@firstround.com or follow us on Twitter @firstround and @brettberson.