user-interview-guide

User Interview Guide - Structured User Research

Overview

Helps startups conduct effective user interviews — the #1 tool for understanding customers. Bad interviews confirm your bias; good interviews reveal what you don't know.

---

1. When to Apply

Trigger	Behavior
Pre-build validation	Discovery interview template
Feature validation	Validation interview template
Usability testing	Usability test script

---

2. Interview Types & Templates

Discovery Interview (문제 발견)

Goal: Understand the problem space before building

## Interview Script: Discovery

**Intro (2 min):**
"Thanks for your time. I'm trying to understand how you [domain activity].
There are no right or wrong answers — I'm learning from your experience."

**Context (5 min):**
1. Tell me about your role and what you do day-to-day.
2. How does [topic] fit into your work?

**Problem Exploration (15 min):**
3. Walk me through the last time you [relevant activity].
4. What was the hardest part about that?
5. How do you handle [specific challenge] today?
6. What have you tried to solve this? What happened?
7. How often does this come up? (daily/weekly/monthly)

**Impact (5 min):**
8. What does this problem cost you? (time/money/frustration)
9. If you could wave a magic wand, what would change?

**Wrap-up (3 min):**
10. Is there anything I should have asked but didn't?
11. Who else should I talk to about this?

Key Rules:

• Ask about past behavior, not hypothetical futures
• Never pitch your solution during discovery
• "Tell me more about that" is your best follow-up
• Silence is powerful — let them think

Validation Interview (솔루션 검증)

Goal: Test whether your solution addresses real needs

## Interview Script: Validation

**Context (3 min):**
1. Remind me — how do you currently handle [problem]?
2. Has anything changed since we last spoke?

**Solution Presentation (5 min):**
[Show prototype/mockup/description]
"Here's something we're exploring. I'd love your honest reaction."

**Reaction (15 min):**
3. What's your first impression?
4. What would you use this for? (Don't suggest use cases)
5. What's confusing or unclear?
6. What's missing that you'd need?
7. Would this replace anything you currently use?
8. How much would you expect to pay for this? / Would you pay $X?

**Commitment Test (5 min):**
9. Would you be willing to try this for a week?
10. Can I follow up with you when it's ready?