contextual inquiry or: how i learned to stop talking and love observation

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CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY OR:HOW I LEARNED TO STOP TALKING AND LOVE OBSERVATION

by Kevin Vigneault at Lean UX & Content on February 19, 2013

HI! I’M

KEVIN VIGNEAULT

STORY TIME

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BYPASS LANE

CREDITS

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CHICKEN SANDWICHES

OH SHIT!

CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY

uber-formalprocess

justwinging it

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

DEFINITION

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

DEFINITION

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THE PROCESS

Brief Interview

The “Switch”

Observation

Summarization

FOUR PRINCIPLES

Conduct the inquiry in the actual context in which the work is performed.

#1 - CONTEXT

Collaborate to understand the user’s work.

#2 - PARTNERSHIP

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MASTER APPRENTICE

MASTER-APPRENTICE

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PARTNER PARTNER

PARTNERSHIP

Share your interpretations and insights with the user during the interview.

#3 - INTERPRETATION

Steer the interaction toward topics that are relevant to you.

#4 - FOCUS

THREE PRO TIPS

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

#1 - BE LIKABLE

It’s a pain to set up and runs the high risk of making the subject less comfortable.

#2 - NO AUDIO / VIDEO

Photos, screenshots, notes on paper; whatever you can collect.

#3 - CAPTURE ARTIFACTS

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LET’S RECAP

An ethnographic research method

Happens in a real context

Pick a model to follow

Be likable & don’t disturb

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THANK YOULET’S DISCUSS!