Focus group

Why

Efficiently gather opinions and experiences through group discussions with stakeholders, users or experts.

How

A limited number of people (max. 10) are invited for a discussion. The first round centres on assessment of the general question. In subsequent rounds, important topics are explored more thoroughly. Each discussion starts with a (research) question, or a stimulating statement.

Ingredients

• A positive atmosphere.

• Catering.

• Group management skills.

• A focus group plan with time schedule, questions and other topics.

• Tested equipment for recording and analysis.

Practice

Focus groups are a popular technique for clarifying product requirements. They are mainly used in marketing and product development but are also valuable in requirements engineering.