[Sigia-l] Group Mental Model Workshop

[Listera]

Thomas.Donehower:

> Goal of the workshop is to create a mental model for three unique customer
> segments.

I wouldn't call this a mental model *of the users.* I don't think third
parties can create mental models for users, only users can. We can observe
them, analyze their log stats, interview them, test them, speculate, etc.,
but not speak for them.

I make a living as an IA/UI/UX surgeon, so one of the first things I do is
to find the dissonance between what a client's marketing dept thinks users
want/do and what they actually do do. Therein lies the genesis of many
flawed approaches to app design.

Needless to say, sometimes you just don't have access to users. That's
reality. But don't let the client convince you (or themselves, for that
matter) that they "know" what users want/do. If they don't (and that's
likely) then you are being an accomplice by way of accepting their premise.

Group sessions can lead to great insights, but they can also lead to
groupthink or misdirection by one or two strong advocates. Every group (and
the way it's led) has a specific dynamic. This can be helpful, or not.
You're not always sure.

I find it more efficient to talk to people separately, discover patterns and
then discuss them in a group, at a later stage. This takes more time, but
eliminates the possibility of some group members dominating the results,
without my even being aware of it until too late.

Ziya
Nullius in Verba