Customer Research Task
Watch target users try the task that matters
Feedback describes preferences, while the team still cannot see where the prototype blocks real work.
“This is costing me design effort while the real task failures remain unseen.”
The result you need
Observed problems lead to a specific change and another test.
What is happening now
Where the work gets stuck
A founder, entrepreneur in residence, or operator has a prototype or early product.
- When it starts
- The team needs to know whether target users can complete a key task and where they fail.
- What makes it difficult
- Stated preferences do not reveal the points where a participant hesitates, takes a wrong turn, or cannot finish.
- What progress looks like
- The session records the task outcome, observed errors, participant comments, facilitator interventions, and next change.
What to try next
Run a lightweight observed task session
Observe a realistic task, identify concrete failures, and choose a change to test next.
Before you act
Check these limits
- Recruit likely users of the task.
- Choose an accessible setup for the participant.
- Do not coach the participant through the tested behaviour.
Sources
Check the research behind this advice
Read the sources before relying on a claim or recommendation.