Discovery often defaults to stakeholder interviews, competitor research or lab usability tests. Emma shares real-world discovery examples that push researchers beyond the lab when shaping the problem space and deciding which user needs matter.
People
Emma Boulton
Methods
User InterviewsUser interviews explore people’s circumstances, experiences and needs through a guided conversation. Use them when you need to understand a problem in depth or learn how a service fits into someone’s life. Recruit current or likely users, prepare open questions and possible follow-ups, and ask for concrete examples rather than idealised accounts. Start with consent, listen carefully, and allow useful unexpected topics to emerge. A discussion guide keeps the research focused without turning it into a rigid questionnaire. Interviews can accompany usability tests when you also need to observe people using a service.
Contextual InquiryObserving users in their natural environment while they work