/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/ Recent content in Discovery operations guide on Digital.gov Hugo en-us Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:42:55 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/desk-research/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/desk-research/ Knowing what others have already discovered means you can contribute new, original thought to an existing knowledge base. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/determine-scale/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/determine-scale/ In this guide, we refer to the project’s conceptual constraints as the project frame (scope), and the operations and logistical constraints as the project scale. These questions can help you explain the difference: Problem frame (scope) answers what and why What are you studying? Why? What is your reasoning for this study? Problem scale answers how and where How will you study your problem? Where will you execute that study? This guide uses four elements to help you determine project scale: number of teammates, number and type of stakeholders, number of locations, and number and type of deliverables required by the project. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/finding-insights/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/finding-insights/ Finding insights means converging the data in your research to expose commonalities or gaps. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/finding-opportunities/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/finding-opportunities/ Find opportunities by identifying fields of potential improvement based on your insights. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/framing/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/framing/ How to define and redefine your frame of reference /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/getting-buy-in/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/getting-buy-in/ Now is the time to check in with your leadership to validate their support and involvement /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interview-checklist/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interview-checklist/ Use this checklist to prepare the night before you plan to conduct research interviews. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interview-tips/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interview-tips/ Follow these tips to make interviews go more smoothly /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interviews/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/interviews/ Interviews and observations are key to helping designers understand their problem frame /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation/ Setting up for a good observation Observations present an opportunity for first-hand understanding of your participants’ experience. Observations, like interviews, have many styles, but a good place to start is to choose one of two broad approaches: fly-on-the-wall or participatory observation. Fly-on-the-wall observations mean that the researcher stays silent while the participant accomplishes the task(s) that are pertinent to your project. Take notes and, if possible, pictures, while they accomplish their work, so that you can understand the ins and outs of the system(s) in which they interact. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation-methods/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation-methods/ Follow these tips for different types of observation research /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/overview-planning/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/overview-planning/ Problem framing defines the scope of your project, and overview planning is where you make a realistic plan to reach your goal. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/present/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/present/ How to communicate findings and deliverables. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/production/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/production/ Producing your presentation and deliverables. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/reframing/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/reframing/ As you learn more about the problem space, iteratively reframe it, to ensure you’re working within scope, and researching the right problem. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-by-week-and-day/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-by-week-and-day/ Research weeks are often quite full with all that you’re hearing, seeing, and experiencing. Research week snapshots provide you a guide for how you can space out your interviews/observations. Include: Research site type Team size Transition time needed Time blocks for daily and weekly synthesis Realistically space out and plan your research events for an effective and productive site visit. Remember to consistently record and organize your schedules as you review and evolve your plan. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-checklist/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-checklist/ Use this checklist as you move through the research phase of your project. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-planning/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/research-planning/ How to go about scheduling and planning your research /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/roles-and-responsibilities/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/roles-and-responsibilities/ These are general descriptions of each team members’ responsibilities. Treat these as guidelines, not absolutes. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/roles-by-phase/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/roles-by-phase/ Who needs to be involved in each phase, and what they should focus on during that phase. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/synthesis/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/synthesis/ Bringing together interviews and qualitative research to look for common patterns and themes /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/team-building/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/team-building/ Buiilding the right team is critical to the success of your project. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/timeline/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/timeline/ It is important to use an easily updated calendar for planning out your project.