Behind the Scenes: 10 User Interview Lessons That Shaped Planyway – Tips for Makers

Hey Product Hunt friends! 👋 We’re just a few days away from our Planyway launch on Monday, and I wanted to share some of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned through user interviews. 🎙️ These conversations were the cornerstone of our product development and taught us so much about building something people genuinely need. Here are 10 actionable tips that can help you get the most out of user interviews: 💡 1. Start with their story. Ask about their day-to-day work before diving into your product. This provides context and helps uncover pain points you might miss otherwise. 💡 2. Avoid leading questions. Instead of asking, “Would you use a tool like this?” try “How do you currently solve this problem?” It’s more authentic and reveals their true habits. 💡 3. Don’t jump to solutions. Focus on understanding the problem fully before discussing potential fixes. This ensures you’re solving the right problem. 💡 4. Silence is powerful. After asking a question, let them think and respond fully. Avoid filling the silence—it’s often where the best insights come from. 💡 5. Watch for emotion. Pay attention to when users get frustrated, excited, or passionate. These moments often highlight their biggest challenges or desires. 💡 6. Talk to skeptics. Not everyone will love your idea—and that’s okay. Skeptical users can offer some of the most constructive feedback if you’re open to it. 💡 7. Use “why” repeatedly. Dig deeper by asking “why” several times to uncover root causes behind behaviors or pain points. 💡 8. Test assumptions. Go into interviews with hypotheses, but be ready to let them go if users prove them wrong. Flexibility is key. 💡 9. Focus on outcomes, not features. Ask users what success looks like for them. This helps you design for impact, not just functionality. 💡 10. Summarize and confirm. At the end of the interview, recap what you heard and ask if you got it right. It shows respect and ensures you understand their needs accurately. Now, I’d love to hear your thoughts: What’s your go-to strategy for learning from users? Let’s swap insights and help each other build amazing products! And if you’re curious about how we put this into action, check out our upcoming launch page and hit “Notify Me” to join us on launch day. 🚨 https://www.producthunt.com/products/planyway-for-jira-2-0 🚨