The document discusses user research war stories and lessons learned from mistakes and unexpected situations. It provides tips for user interviews such as being present in the environment, including rich contextual data, and learning from mistakes. Quotes emphasize connecting with others by sharing stories of struggle and having the courage to be vulnerable.

1. 1
Doorbells, Danger,
and Dead Batteries
User Research War Stories
Steve Portigal
@steveportigal

2. 2
It’s All Going To Burn

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Sameer Chavan
Connecting Through War Stories

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Click to edit Master title style“We’re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and
perfectionism, there’s a surprisingly simple reason we
want to own, integrate, and share our stories of
struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive
when we’re connecting with others and being brave
with our stories.” Brené Brown, Rising Strong

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www.portigal.com/
category/series/
warstories

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Click to edit Master title styleDoorbells, Danger, and Dead Batteries
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/user-research-war-stories/
Interviews with in-house user research leaders
portigal.com/podcast/
Interviewing Users
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/interviewing-users/

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Click to edit Master title styleDoorbells, Danger, and Dead Batteries
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/user-research-war-stories/
Interviews with in-house user research leaders
portigal.com/podcast/
Interviewing Users
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/user-research-war-stories/

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Survivorship Bias

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Control is an Illusion

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Click to edit Master title styleThey Call Me Mister
Elaine Fukuda
touchtons.wordpress.com

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It's okay to walk away
Call a timeout
Use the breaks you are given
The unexpected can reveal new truths
Improvise

12. 12
Cracking
the
Code

13. 13
Beware of Trapdoors
Jon Innes
MASDESTRUCTIVE / CC-BY-SA-3.0

14. 14
Prepare for the experience of the interview
Consider your assumption about the
environment
Be present in your surroundings
Include the rich data from the environment
Learn from your mistakes

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Judging and Learning

16. Portigal
To Research Is
To Be Human

17. Portigal
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the
courage to show up and be seen when we have no
control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness;
it’s our greatest measure of courage.”
Brené Brown, Rising Strong

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Thank you!
@steveportigal
www.portigal.com