1.
Conducting Lean User Studies
Neeharika Bhartiya
@neewho
www.sendsonar.com

2.
Background
● Co-Founder & Head of Product at Sonar
○ Over 1mm text/month but only 4 team
members…
○ We have to be lean
● Built On Google Ventures 5 Day Design Sprint
Methodology

3.
Design Sprint Methodology
Unpack Sketch Decide Prototype Test
1 2 3 4 5

4.
1. Clear Prototype, Avoid Details!

5.
2. Set Up for Success
● Five = Magic Number
○ Aim for All Personas
● In Person or Hangouts
● Get Permission to Record
/ NDAs
○ Screenflow = $99
● Bring Gift
● Allot 1 hour

6.
3. Set the Right Tone
● “I didn’t design this, so your feedback can’t offend me.”
● “I’m not testing you, I’m testing our product.”
● “There are no right or wrong answers.”
● “If and when you do get stuck, I’m going to try not to answer
your questions or tell you what to do.”
● “As you work on the tasks, please think aloud.” (Remind user
of this constantly!)

7.
4. Discovery Questions
● Zoom Out
● Understand Existing Behavior
● Who? Where? When? What? Why? How?
● Helps you Personalize Session
● Build Rapport & Trust
● Pregnant Pauses
● Status Quo, Reenactments, Successes & Failures,
Exceptions, Changes over Time, Describe in Your
Words, 3 Wishes

8.
5. First Impression
● What is this?
● What is it for?
● How can you tell?
● Who do you think this is aimed at?
● What do you see?
● What questions does this raise?
● What information would you have wanted
to see here?

9.
6. Task Scenarios
● What happened there? What you expected?
● What goes through your mind as you look at this? Which part are you looking
at?
● Did you find what you were looking for?
● What would you do next? Why?
● Anything else you would do at this point? Any other way to do it?
● What did you think of that?
● Anything that confuses you?
● In what ways would you want this changed to make it better?
● Is there anything you wish was here? When would you use that?

10.
7. Debrief
● What do you like/dislike?
● 3 wishes to make it better?
● How would you describe this to
a friend?
● Which parts are most/least
important to you?

11.
Key Takeaways
● Don’t Prototype Everything!
● Do 5 Interviews
● Repeat Open Ended Questions
● Keep Asking Users What They Are Thinking
● Never Underestimate the Power of the Pregnant Pause