Approach to Research
Designing a research program can be the most creative part of a project! What are we trying to understand? How might we get at it - with the time and resources we have? Investing time here always pays off in the end.
Guiding principles
No project – research or design – is exactly the same. These principles are helpful at the beginning of both kinds.
Pattern Matching
First, look to past projects. Have I seen questions, challenges, or constraints like this before? If so, where? What worked? What didn't? Is there anything to borrow and modify for this new challenge?
Curiosity
Pay attention to the questions stakeholders ask -- then listen for the questions they’re not asking. These could be opportunities to look in darker corners to find really useful insights.
Flexibility
Context and constraints can change. Stay flexible (and scrappy) in planning and execution to move on unexpected opportunities and navigate obstacles.
Research tools
Every research and design project involves a mix of gathering and analyzing information and artifacts to understand the challenge, its context, opportunities, and constraints.
Using the right tools for the right job – that is, knowing what you want to learn – is essential.
