4. Research & Discovery

Ensure that all stakeholders, including end users where appropriate, are active participants throughout the R & D phase. This has direct bearing on the quality and reliability of the data gathered and the design output — don’t skimp on this one!

• Research and document end user mental models

  • Focus on goals, not the tools or tasks used to achieve those goals

  • Note the language / terminology used

  • Note learned behaviours

  • Pay special attention to current pain points (especially with regard to Natural Language)

• Research and document current NL setup (if any)

  • Evaluate and advise re: current NL model

  • Occasionally “inherited” from client

  • Benchmarking, competitive analysis, pro | con, etc.

• Perform demographic analysis, then triage

  • Which audience segments are most crucial to the success of this project?

• Prototype Testing at various levels of fidelity

  • Contextual Inquiry

    • Include qualitative data, not just quantitative

  • Research data from client (if any)

  • TTS evaluation and tuning, for NL

• Maintain strict control of the research process, including division of labour

  • Design conducts design research, Natural Language conducts NL research, etc.

  • Likewise, each group presents its own findings; this is not turned over to either Business Analysis or Project Management for presentation