Observation

Why

Get a feeling for how your intended users will use your product by unobtrusively observing them and their behaviour in their daily environment.

How

Watch people without talking to or instructing them. While observing, make notes about their activities, interactions and environments.

Ingredients

• A place where you can observe the users without distracting them.

• An observation scheme including your expectations regarding the information this should produce.

• Note-taking material or video recording equipment.

• A willingness to stick to the observed facts, and delay interpretation.

Practice

Companies typically use observation techniques, as what people actually do often differs from what they say they do.