Contextual Inquiry or: How I Learned to Stop Talking and Love Observation

CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY OR:
HOW I LEARNED TO STOP TALKING AND LOVE OBSERVATION
by Kevin Vigneault at Lean UX & Content on February 19, 2013

OH SHIT!

CHICKEN
SANDWICHES

URL or Source

uber-formal just
process winging it

DEFINITION
An ethnographic research method in which
users are observed and questioned while
they work in their natural environments.

THE PROCESS

1. Brief Interview
2. The “Switch”
3. Observation
4. Summarization

#1 - CONTEXT
Conduct the inquiry in the actual context
in which the work is performed.

#2 - PARTNERSHIP
Collaborate to understand the user’s work.

MASTER-APPRENTICE

MASTER APPRENTICE

URL or Source

PARTNERSHIP

PARTNER PARTNER

URL or Source

#3 - INTERPRETATION
Share your interpretations and insights
with the user during the interview.

#4 - FOCUS
Steer the interaction toward topics that
are relevant to you.

#1 - BE LIKABLE
People will be more likely to work in their
normal, natural way if they feel
comfortable around you.

#2 - NO AUDIO / VIDEO
It’s a pain to set up and runs the high risk
of making the subject less comfortable.

#3 - CAPTURE ARTIFACTS
Photos, screenshots, notes on paper;
whatever you can collect.

LET’S RECAP

1. An ethnographic research method

2. Happens in a real context

3. Pick a model to follow

4. Be likable & don’t disturb

Recomendados