Chapter 4: Turn notes into decisions, lesson 7 of 7

Make your readout

The project for chapter 4. Turn real research into one page. The finding and its proof, the case that doesn't fit, the next test, and what would change it.

By Shirish Shikhrakar1 min read, 30 min of exercises

This is the real work of the chapter. You turn research into one page that someone can act on, and check. It uses everything from the last five lessons.

Use your own research if you have some: the interview from chapter 3, plus anything else you’ve heard or counted. If you don’t, use Tiffin’s: the six interviews and the help requests from this course.

Each step shows an example from Mia’s readout. You can leave and come back, and it will still be here.

Make your readout, one step at a time

Your project

One page from real research. The finding and its proof, the case that doesn't fit, and how sure you are. Then the next test, and what would change your mind. It saves in this browser as you type. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Step 1 of 4 What you heard

What decision does this research serve? One sentence. Example: Should Tiffin build group ordering this quarter?

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Think about this: Who is waiting for this, and what will they decide?

Who did you hear from? Count people, not notes. Example: Five office managers and one colleague. One morning of watching. 40 help requests.

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Think about this: Write each person's name or label once. Then count them.

Group them by what they do, not who they are. Example: One person pays and chases: Anna, Dana. Take turns: Ken. The company pays: Ray. Each pays by request: Sara.

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Think about this: What do some of them do that others don't?

Step 2 of 4 The finding

Your finding, in one sentence. Example: Managers who pay for colleagues' lunch need to stop being owed money.

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Think about this: If you could tell the decision-maker one thing, what would it be?

The proof: a number and a quote, each with who said or did it. Example: Three of five managers are owed money. Anna is $157 short this month. Dana: "I stopped ordering for everyone in August."

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Think about this: Which number would you show? Whose words?

Which person or moment doesn't fit the pattern? Name it, and keep it. Example: Ray's bank pays for lunch. His need is a daily tax invoice, not getting paid back.

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Think about this: Who would be left out if you only told the main story?

Step 3 of 4 How sure, and what next

How sure are you? Name the rung on the evidence ladder, from 0 to 6, and say why. Example: Rung 2 to 3: six people telling us what they do, and one morning of watching.

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Think about this: Did you count it, see it, or hear about it?

Your next test: what, with whom, the result that means stop, and the date. Example: A pay-for-yourself link in three offices, for a week. Wrong if fewer than 6 in 10 pay within 30 minutes. Decide on 23 October.

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Think about this: Which belief is still the riskiest? How could you test it in a week?

Step 4 of 4 What could change it

Finish the line: we'd be wrong if... Name something you could see in the people the finding is about. Example: Managers who get paid at once still keep their notebook.

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Think about this: What would the people in your finding do, if the finding were false?

What rare, serious thing should nobody lose, even though nothing above solves it? Example: Ben's peanut allergy, checked by Anna when lunch is handed out.

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Think about this: What happened once, but would be bad if it happened again?

What do you still need to find out? Write each as a question. Example: How many of Tiffin's offices are company-paid?

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Think about this: What would change the size of your finding?

Your one-page readout

Question
Who you heard from
Groups
Finding
Proof
The case that doesn't fit
How sure
Next test
We'd be wrong if
Don't lose
What I still need to find out

Before you copy it, check it. Tick each one that is true. You counted people, not notes. Your groups are about what people do, not who they are. Every claim leads back to a person, a quote or a number. You kept the case that doesn't fit. Your next test has a number that means stop, and a date. Your "we'd be wrong if" line could really prove you wrong.

Written by

Shirish Shikhrakar

Shirish is a Google-certified UX designer and UX engineer based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He started as a software developer, moved into product design for Silicon Valley startups, and has taught UX foundations to hundreds of designers since 2019.