Hands-on experience #2 from business projects: 7 steps to get the most out of qualitative interviews (knowing that data has its limits)

7 easy-to-use tips to get the most out of qualitative interviews (knowing that data has its limits)

With over a decade of expertise in Project Management, Business & Process Analysis, Digital Transformation, and more, I have witnessed the transformative power of qualitative insights gathered from conversational interviews.

This post/resource contains 7 easy-to-use steps you can use to get the most out of qualitative interviews, which can also elevate your project management skills.

Quantitative data's limitations

Quantitative data are highly valuable. But data is not all in complex projects and in chaotic situations !
Data has its limitations when it comes to truly comprehending user behavior and gaining meaningful insights in unclear situations. Often you have to go deeper to truly understand the nuances that can play a crucial role in decision-making and selecting the future path for the project.

This is where qualitative interviews step in as a powerful tool to unlock the secrets behind the data.

A work-model for success

Here is a practical work-model that project managers can implement to highly improve the outcome of quantitative interviews - These steps has been very beneficial for me in several cases.

As the good project manager you are, you want to be proper prepared and be efficient, right..?

Spending time to create the right playbook, is for sure worth the investment.

1. Define your objectives: Clearly outline what you aim to achieve with your qualitative interviews. Are you looking to uncover the motivations, challenges, or aspirations of your stakeholders or personas? Understanding your objectives is the first step towards success.
   
2. Select the right participants: Identify the key stakeholders who can provide valuable insights on who to interview. Ensure diversity in your selection to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives.
   
3. Create an open environment: It might sound super basic, buy remember this is human-to-human interaction and trust, so foster a comfortable and open atmosphere. This encourages participants to express themselves freely and share their insights.
   
4. Master active listening: Active listening is essential during these conversations. Talk less, but be active in the conversation. Pay close attention to nuances, non-verbal cues, and underlying emotions.
   
5. Ask probing questions: Be well-prepared and understand who you are interviewing. Formulate challenging and relevant questions that go deep into the subjects under discussion. Probing questions can uncover hidden insights.
   
6. Ensure confidentiality: Assure participants of the confidentiality of their responses to encourage candid sharing. Nobody want to be "killed".
   
7. Analyze and react (but no too fast): After conducting interviews, analyze the gathered insights. Analyze again. Discuss with your team and challenge your conclusions. Don't jump-into-conclusion too fast because you might be wrong.
   
   Apply these insights to fine-tune your project, aligning it with the uncovered motivations, challenges, and aspirations.

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