From Problem to Solution
Faster
Using Interviews to Improve your Process 
& Accelerate Delivery

@m
@melissadoerken
Build the right thing.
Build it right.
Understand. The. Problem.
Improve
Understand
 Validate
goals
The Problem Interview 
The Solution Interview
Mingle Plus 
WYSIWYG
Lead Time
12
 5.5
The Problem Interview
A technique for problem discovery 
and understanding
If I had an hour to save the world I
would spend 59 minutes defining the
problem and 1 minute finding solutions
“
”
It’s all about the how
6 tips for a successful problem interview
Do your homework
Capture assumptions & identify the riskiest
Limit the number of
assumptions
(and know when to move on)
One person at a time
Start with an
open-ended question
Listen more
than you speak
Separate product
feedback from behavior
HOMEWORK:
CAPTURE
ASSUMPTIONS
LISTEN
MORE THAN
YOU SPEAK
FEEDBACK
VS.
BEHAVIOR
OPEN
ENDED
QUESTION
LIMIT 
YOUR
ASSUMPTIONS
ONE 
PERSON
AT A TIME
Worth solving ?

Solvable ?

Problem context & activity?
Product Principles
Fully Explore
Possible Solutions
Collaborative Sketching
The Solution Interview
A technique for early 
and continuous feedback
Usability Testing
Solution Interview 
Problem Interview
It’s all about the how
6 tips for a successful solution interview
Do your homework
Define scenarios and 
success criteria beforehand
Start as early as possible
(and know when to move on)
Make sure they’re
comfortable
Provide a quiet,
distraction-free space
Record
Exit chat
(it’s not an interrogation)
HOMEWORK:
SCENARIOS &
CRITERIA
RECORD

EXIT CHAT
(DON’T
INTERROGATE)
QUIET,
DISTRACTION
FREE SPACE
START AS
SOON AS
POSSIBLE
MAKE SURE
THEY’RE
COMFORTABLE
Final Thoughts
Improve
Understand
 Validate
goals
Tip Deck
Thank you
mdoerken@thoughtworks.com
@melissadoerken

From Problem to Solution, Faster: Using Interviews to Improve your Process and Accelerate Delivery