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    "title" : "Step 1: Plan your project |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Step 1: Plan your project",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/plan/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"Step 1: Plan your project","summary" : "Preparing for a successful discovery research effort takes time and step-by-step planning.","date" : "2023-07-24T09:00:00-05:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","primary_image" : { "uid" : "hcd-discovery-concepts", "alt" :
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      "filename" :"plan.md",
      
      "filepath" :"guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/plan.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/plan.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/plan.md","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/plan/","content" :"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"image\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg\n        src=\"https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitalgov/hcd-discovery-concepts-2.png\"alt=\"The illustration focuses our attention on the before phase of the cycle.\"/\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003eA project brief will provide direction and help pave the way for a smooth start. You may get your brief from a supervisor or other group, or you or others may develop your own brief, to identify what you want to study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"framing\"\u003eFraming\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"quote-block \"\u003e\n    \u003cblockquote\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"quote-block__quotation-mark\"\u003e“\u003c/span\u003e\n      Tighter framing directly correlates with a more meaningful, targeted solution.\n      \u003cspan class=\"quote-block__quotation-mark\"\u003e”\u003c/span\u003e\u003ccite\u003e— Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Innovation\u003c/cite\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake time to frame a guiding question that will become the foundation of your research. When the FDA sought to align their testing standard for facemasks with testing standards for the same product managed by another federal agency, the problem was initially framed as a technical negotiation between scientists. However, during a co-design session it became clear that comfort was a critical factor that was missing from both testing standards and needed to be included in the problem frame. This recognition of what was missing led to a family of problem frames that would take the effort in new directions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow might we reduce redundancy between agencies that regulate the same product?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow might we incorporate comfort into the testing process for manufacturers?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow might we understand the broader experience of using facemasks?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelect a question that is broad enough to encompass the full shape of the issue you want to research, but defined enough to keep your research focused and on-track.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-use-the-how-might-we-phrase\"\u003eWhy use the “How might we” phrase?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the design research process, a “How Might We” (HMW) question serves two purposes:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt is the frame of inquiry for the research.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe phrase “how might we” can provide inspiration to help your team approach a problem from many different angles.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse these specific words as you frame your problem. ‘Might’ is open, something to play with. Compare this to ‘should,’ which adds undue pressure and narrows the research from the start. The word ‘we’ centers the work on the team.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"organize-your-team\"\u003eOrganize your team\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAssign team members specific roles and responsibilities for HCD discovery, including:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject Lead, who coordinates the project, participates in interviews, and communicates regularly with stakeholders.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResearcher, who selects research strategies, conducts and documents interviews, and leads synthesis.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecruiter, who recruits test participants.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLogistics Coordinator, who schedules interviews, coordinates travel for site visits, manages supplies, etc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA local contact, who supports on-site recruiting and logistics.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"select-your-research-strategy\"\u003eSelect your research strategy\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscuss and select your methods for gathering qualitative data. The key research method for discovery is in-depth interviewing. Ideally, you will interview participants for an hour or more (if time allows) in a place where they feel comfortable (such as their home, workplace, or a coffee shop). Consider using additional research strategies to supplement in-depth interviews, such as spending time observing people in their world.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"secure-allies\"\u003eSecure allies\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnlist supporters after your team has selected a guiding question, but  before you recruit participants. To gain support, reach out to people in your network (in and out of your agency) who could have an interest in this research. By making others aware of the work ahead, you build consensus and goodwill around the project, which is key to moving the project forward.\u003c/p\u003e\n"}
  ]
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