You can't build the right thing for people you don't understand.
Entering a new market or problem space is one of the highest-stakes moments for any team. The decisions made early — who you're building for, what actually matters to them, where the real friction is — shape everything that follows.
Discovery Research gives your team a clear, evidence-based picture of your customers, their jobs, what frustrates them, and the context they're operating in, before strategy gets locked in.
Who this is for
Teams moving into a new market or problem space who need to understand it before committing. Product and service teams designing something new who want to make sure they're solving a real problem for real people. Teams that have been building on assumptions and want to pressure-test them before going further. And teams with data telling them something is wrong — but not sure what, or why.
How it works
I design the research from the ground up: study objectives, methodology, participant criteria, discussion guides, and analysis plan. Depending on what you need, this might mean in-depth qualitative interviews, contextual inquiry in the field, diary studies, or a combination. I recruit and screen participants, conduct the sessions, and handle synthesis and analysis. You get findings and recommendations you can actually act on, not just a deck of quotes.
Most Discovery Research engagements run four to eight weeks depending on scope, number of participants, and how quickly we need to move.
What you get
A research report with clear findings and prioritized recommendations. Typically this includes a summary of key themes, a set of customer or user archetypes, a journey map or experience map if the work calls for it, and a prioritized list of insights tied to product or strategy decisions. Everything is written to be read and used by your team. Not filed away.
About the Discovery Research engagement
How long does a Discovery Research engagement take?
Most Discovery Research engagements run four to eight weeks depending on scope, number of participants, and how quickly we need to move. I'll give you a clear timeline estimate after our first conversation.
What methods do you use?
The method follows the question. Most Discovery Research engagements involve some combination of in-depth qualitative interviews, contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and concept testing. I'll recommend an approach based on what your team needs to learn.
What do the deliverables look like?
A research report with clear findings and prioritized recommendations. Typically this includes key themes, customer or user archetypes, a journey map if the work calls for it, and insights tied directly to product or strategy decisions. Everything is written to be read and acted on. Not filed away.
How much does it cost?
Engagements are scoped and priced based on the specific research questions, number of participants, methodology, and timeline. The fastest way to get a number is a short conversation. I'm based in Atlanta and work with teams nationwide. I'll scope something that fits your budget and what you actually need.