User Interviews
Planning a User Interview Schedule and Flow
This prompt helps teams create a detailed plan for conducting user interviews, including scheduling, session structure, and flow. It ensures interviews are well-organized, time-efficient, and designed to maintain a natural, engaging dialogue with participants.
Responsible:
Product Management
Accountable, Informed or Consulted:
Product, Design, Customer Success, Marketing
THE PREP
Creating effective prompts involves tailoring them with detailed, relevant information and uploading documents that provide the best context. Prompts act as a framework to guide the response, but specificity and customization ensure the most accurate and helpful results. Use these prep tips to get the most out of this prompt:
Define the primary and secondary goals for the interview sessions.
Choose the format (e.g., virtual, in-person) and tools for conducting interviews.
Create a list of topics or questions to prioritize during the session.
THE PROMPT
Help plan a detailed schedule and flow for user interviews aimed at [specific goal, e.g., improving feature usability or understanding onboarding challenges]. Include:
A clear timeline for each part of the interview (e.g., introductions, main questions, wrap-up).
Suggestions for pacing to ensure all key topics are covered without rushing.
Guidance on maintaining a conversational tone while staying on track.
Techniques to re-engage users if they seem hesitant or distracted.
If more information is needed about the interview format (e.g., virtual vs. in-person) or goals, ask clarifying questions to refine the plan.
Bonus Add-On Prompts
Suggest ways to adapt the interview flow for time-constrained sessions (e.g., 15-20 minutes).
Propose strategies for handling interruptions or off-topic responses during interviews.
Create a template for interview moderators to follow, including key timing cues and transitions.
Use AI responsibly by verifying its outputs, as it may occasionally generate inaccurate or incomplete information. Treat AI as a tool to support your decision-making, ensuring human oversight and professional judgment for critical or sensitive use cases.
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE
Include contingency plans for technical issues in virtual interviews.
Add time buffers to allow for unexpected delays or deeper discussion.
Adjust for cultural or regional differences in conversational style.
Focus on pacing techniques for longer or multi-session interviews.
Incorporate a follow-up plan to gather additional insights after the session.
WHEN TO USE
To ensure smooth and professional user interview sessions.
When preparing for a large number of interviews that require consistency.
Before engaging with users who may be hesitant or unfamiliar with the process.
WHEN NOT TO USE
If interviews are informal and do not require a structured flow.
When prioritizing data analysis over interview planning.