To effectively start a project, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on the industry, competition, the company itself, and its customer personas. This foundational knowledge aids in understanding the client’s language, needs, and how to best approach the project.
This diagram and sample questions will help you understand the company’s operations, industry trends, competitors, and stakeholder needs to better navigate requirement gathering workshops and ultimately deliver more tailored solutions.
Below are the type of information I research:
- 📊 Industry and competition: Understanding emerging trends, future evolution, main competitors, and what differentiates the company is vital.
- 🎯 Company mission and products: Knowledge of the company’s mission, vision, core values, strategic goals, expansion plans, challenges, opportunities, and their products/services is essential.
- 👥 Personas: Identifying the needs, preferences, and expected behavioral changes of customer personas enriches client understanding.
- 💻 Technology role: Recognizing the significance of technology advancements, IT systems, and platforms in the industry and company informs better integration and future investments.
🔍 Research Tools: Utilizing generative AI tools like ChatGPT for initial research and validating findings with key stakeholders enhances project preparation.
Adequate preparation before starting project workshops prevents information overload and fosters more effective requirement gathering and solution development.