Module 4

Question 1

Contextual Inquiry

Answer 1

Involves observing people in their natural environment and asking them questions to learn what they are doing and why.

Gather data from customers while they do their work to help decide what the system should do.

Question 2

4 Principles of Contextual Inquiry

Answer 2

1. Context = understand user’s needs in their work environment
2. Partnership = work with users as co-investigators
3. Interpretation = assign meaning to the observations
4. Focus = listen and probe from a clearly-defined set of concerns

Question 3

Contextual Inquiry Session Structure

Answer 3

1. Introduction = introduce yourself, get permission to record, communicate focus, get an overview of their work
2. Transition = transition to observing them do the actual work; encourage thinking aloud
3. Observation & Interpretation = observe work and probe from a clearly-defined set of concerns
4. Wrap-Up = summarize understandings; ask clarifying questions