Desired Goal:
To gain real-world insights by observing users in their natural environments, uncovering authentic behaviors, needs, and challenges.
The Tool's Purpose:
Field studies allow teams to step into users’ everyday lives, observing how they interact with products, services, or systems in real-world contexts to identify opportunities and pain points.
Overview:
In field studies, the team plans visits to locations where users naturally interact with the product or experience. Visits are conducted ethically, with permissions and privacy considerations in place. Team members observe behaviors, environments, and interactions while documenting findings through notes, photos, and recordings. Field studies provide an unfiltered view of how users approach problems, revealing insights that surveys or interviews may miss. These observations often inspire innovative solutions based on real, observed needs.
Benefits:
– Uncovers real user behavior, needs, and challenges in natural settings.
– Highlights context-specific insights that wouldn’t emerge in controlled environments.
– Provides concrete data to inform design decisions.
– Builds empathy for users by experiencing their realities firsthand.
Use Case Example:
A GIS company developing an app for utility workers conducts a field study by visiting teams who work on-site repairing infrastructure. Observers document challenges workers face when accessing maps on mobile devices under harsh weather conditions. They notice glare on screens, frequent glove removal for touchscreen use, and a need for offline map access in remote areas. These findings help the team refine the app’s design by incorporating glove-friendly controls, high-contrast map views, and offline functionality, ensuring the app works seamlessly in real-world field conditions.
