How do you run customer discovery for a new problem area?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- Define learning goals and assumptions
- Recruit the right customers
- Ask about past behaviour, avoid leading questions
- Synthesize patterns and size the opportunity
- Share and decide next steps
Model answer
I begin by writing down what we want to learn and our riskiest assumptions. Then I recruit people who match the target segment, including some who use competitors or workarounds. In interviews I ask about real past behaviour, like tell me about the last time you did this, and avoid pitching our idea or asking leading questions. I usually do eight to twelve interviews, with a designer or engineer joining. After each one we write quick notes, and then we synthesise patterns: the jobs people are trying to do, their pain points and how they solve them today. I combine this with data, like market size or usage numbers, to judge how big the opportunity is. Finally I share findings with the team and decide whether to explore solutions or stop.
Can you answer it under time pressure?
Take a timed medium round and get scored on every answer.
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