What are some common pitfalls you've encountered in user interviews and how do you avoid them?

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Ask Open-Ended and Neutral Questions: Avoid leading or biased questions that may skew the responses.

• Focus on Understanding Problems, Not Solutions: Prioritize identifying root problems rather than jumping to potential fixes. Solutions can vary; a deep understanding of the problem ensures the right one emerges.

• Observe Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to body language, tone, and hesitation to gauge emotions and detect unspoken concerns.

• Avoid Fatiguing Participants: Keep interviews short and focused (30–45 minutes).

• Probe Deeply for Insights: Avoid surface-level understanding. Use follow-up questions like:

• Evaluate Whether Interviews Are the Best Method

  • For some objectives, other methods like:

    • Surveys (to gather broad trends).

    • Participatory design (to involve users in co-creating solutions).

    • Usability testing (to validate designs or workflows) may be more effective.

• Recruit a Diverse Range of Participants: Ensure representation across different demographics, experience levels, and user types.

• Create a Tailored Discussion Guide: Develop a structured guide specific to your research goals and audience. Adapt questions based on customer size, industry, and other relevant criteria.

• Address Remote Interview Challenges:

  • Zoom or other virtual tools can introduce unique challenges:

    • Set clear protocols for observers (e.g., being silent and off-camera).

    • Communicate and ensure adherence to data privacy policies.

• Ensure Data Privacy and Compliance

  • Have participants sign NDAs to protect both parties.

  • Anonymize data and restrict its use to internal purposes.

  • Avoid recording sensitive information unless necessary and agreed upon.