Discovery concepts guide

A 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.

Framing

Take 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:

• How might we reduce redundancy between agencies that regulate the same product?
• How might we incorporate comfort into the testing process for manufacturers?
• How might we understand the broader experience of using facemasks?

Select 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.

Why use the “How might we” phrase?

In the design research process, a “How Might We” (HMW) question serves two purposes:

1. It is the frame of inquiry for the research.
2. The phrase “how might we” can provide inspiration to help your team approach a problem from many different angles.

Use 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.

Organize your team

Assign team members specific roles and responsibilities for HCD discovery, including:

• Project Lead, who coordinates the project, participates in interviews, and communicates regularly with stakeholders.
• Researcher, who selects research strategies, conducts and documents interviews, and leads synthesis.
• Recruiter, who recruits test participants.
• Logistics Coordinator, who schedules interviews, coordinates travel for site visits, manages supplies, etc.
• A local contact, who supports on-site recruiting and logistics.

Select your research strategy

Discuss 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.

Secure allies

Enlist 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.