1. Understand users and their needs

Understanding the context of people’s lives gives you the best chance of meeting user’s needs in a simple and cost effective way.

You can learn a lot about users from research that’s already been done and by analysing data, such as call centre logs, statistics and web analytics.

The real problem might not be the one you originally thought needed solving. Testing your assumptions early, with the people you’re trying to reach, reduces the risk of building the wrong thing.

If you continue to revisit your understanding of users at every stage of delivery, it’s more likely that your end product will be fit for purpose.

How you do it

Understand what research has already been done
Take time to understand what you already know about users, reflecting on any existing research
Make sure data guides your decisions
Explore what data can help you make decisions, from open data to call centre stats and web analytics
Do research with a wide range of people
Have a clear idea of what you’re trying to find out through user research and who you need to include
Be ethical and inclusive
Speak to the right users, removing any barriers that might prevent them in taking part in research, and do no harm to participants
Do research legally
Make sure you are collecting and processing data legally
Make sure what you deliver is based on evidence
Consider how your research becomes insight
Test and learn as early as possible
Testing with users will help you know you’re delivering the right thing, for example showing prototypes to users before developing a product
Share your insights
Communicate research findings and insights with your team and other organisations who could use them

Links to detailed guidance:

Guidance on user research from GDS
The Information Commissioner’s Office provides an interactive tool and guidance to help understand the lawful basis of collecting research data