How to Conduct User Interviews as a Product Manager

As a PM, conducting user interviews is an important part of understanding the needs and pain points of your users.

1. Different User Research Techniques

Before we dive in, let’s take a look at a picture that can provide guidance on conducting user research. Remember, user interviews are just one of many tools in a PM’s toolkit. It may not be suitable for every problem, as it prioritizes depth of understanding over sample size, and therefore cannot provide statistically significant data. There are many user research approaches.

by Steve Mulder

User interviews are sometimes referred to as “empathy studies” because they provide an opportunity for product teams to develop a deep understanding of their users’ needs, goals, and pain points. By asking open-ended questions and listening to users’ responses, product teams can gain insight into the experiences, behaviors, and motivations that drive user behavior.

2. Three Types of User Interviews

(1) Structured interviews

• The interviewer follows a pre-defined set of questions or a script.