VALIDATE

By cultivating the knowledge and experience of your users, you will better understand if the problem is worth solving. This is why we validate before we commit.

In 1:1 sessions, asking open-ended questions, discuss the problem to make sure you understand it thoroughly. Often the way we've viewed the problem is through a much narrower lens than a user. I've learned about user groups that I didn't realize were being critically impacted and I have learned more than once that the great idea we had wasn't anything anyone really needed. I've started with a single idea and by the end fo the sessions, had a vastly different one that was much better.

 

By discussing the desirability, feasibility and viability with your users, you will get answers to important questions: Are you solving the right pain points? How long will it take to go to market? What will the ROI look like?

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Once you have this information, reflect and be aware. If your original idea has changed, does it still fit into your roadmap in the same way? Have you learned anything that would make you want to rethink your commitment? If you are ready to commit, then you are ready to empathize deeper with your users to understand what they need.