The purpose of experience harvesting is to explore and validate your product/service in a real-life, non-conditioned setting. You will be observing how users interact and perceive your product/service.
If participants are not able to visually observe how a potential user interacts with the product/service, the user should describe each step in the interaction out loud while a helper or a group member notes down. Bringing a person who is able to see is also beneficial to verify the user's actions eg. through a conversation after the user interaction.
Focus
If participants have a hard time focusing, observing/note down every step the user does might be difficult. Repeat the method multiple times but for shorter periods of time, bringing in time for breaks in between.
Speak
If participants are not able to speak, communication between the user and participant could go through sign language via a translator if present or in written form. The user could also go through a survey after the interaction, where the participant can get answers to questions that may arise during the interaction.
Hear
If participants are not able to hear, communication between the user and participant could go through sign language via a translator if present or in written form. The user could also go through a survey after the interaction, where the participant can get answers to questions that may arise during the interaction.
Hold
If a participant is unable to hold, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members if in a group. Using a software controlled by other means than hand gestures is also possible.
Move
If a participant is unable to move, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members if in a group. Using a software controlled by other means than hand gestures is also possible.
Emote
For the user interaction it is crucial that participants try to sympathize with the interviewees. If this is difficult, talk about the interviewees' profiles in advance in groups and eg. make personas of them to awake sympathy.
Invest
Make sure to have the right budget when choosing locations and prototype levels for this method.
Touch
If a participant is unable to touch, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members if in a group. Using a software controlled by other means than hand gestures is also possible.
Overview
Input
Product/service
Output
Feedback/potential changes
Complexity
Simple
Time
2 hours
Participants
2-10+
Activity
Core abilities:
Be observant
Take notes
Step by step:
Notepad or template, pens, prototype of either product or service.
Create artifacts or narratives that can evoke emotional reactions from people, in order for us to harvest insight on how people perceive the experience.
Put the artifacts and narratives in a real-life, non-conditioned setting.
Observe people’s reaction when exposed to the message and ask them how they feel about it.
When doing this method you should consider:
Think of the most relevant touchpoint to expose the artifacts/narratives.
Materials needed:
Notepad or template, pens, prototype of either product or service.