Resources > Essentials > Contextual Inquiry

Observing people in their own environment performing their actual work with your product.

Introduction
Contextual Enquiry - A Primer
Contextual Inquiry - Fluid Project Wiki

Condensed Technique
Field Research in Commercial Product Development (PDF)

Book Excerpts
‘Introduction’ from ‘Contextual Design: Defining Customer-centered Systems’ by Hugh Beyer, Karen Holtzblat

Related Templates
Contextual Inquiry - Practical Guide and Checklist
Planning and Conducting a Site Visit. Usability Toolkit - An STC Community
Sample Consent Form

Key Articles
Focus Questions for Site Visits

 

Recommended Books
		Contextual Design Author: Hugh Beyer, Karen Holtzblatt This book introduces a customer-centered approach to business by showing how data gathered from people while they work can drive the definition of a product or process while supporting the needs of teams and their organizations. This is a practical, hands-on guide for anyone trying to design systems that reflect the way customers want to do their work. Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Chapters.ca
		User and Task Analysis for Interface Design Author: JoAnn T. Hackos, Janice C. Redish User and Task Analysis for Interface Design helps you design a great user interface by focusing on the most important step in the process -the first one. You learn to go out and observe your users at work, whether they are employees of your company or people in customer organizations. You learn to find out what your users really need, not by asking them what they want, but by going through a process of understanding what they are trying to accomplish. Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Chapters.ca