Mom Test Workshop

Workshop Intent

This mock write-up captures a workshop built to help participants ask better user research questions.

The main challenge was familiar: most beginners ask people what they think instead of what they actually do.

Session Design

The workshop was structured in three stages:

1. explain weak vs strong questions
2. rewrite biased prompts together
3. practice follow-up questioning in pairs

Common Mistakes We Highlighted

• asking for validation too early
• pitching the idea during the interview
• collecting compliments instead of evidence
• ignoring concrete past behavior

Example Shift

Instead of asking:

• "Would you use this product?"

Participants were encouraged to ask:

• "How are you currently solving this problem?"
• "When did this issue last happen?"
• "What did you try before?"

Mock Observations

• People understood the framework quickly once examples became specific.
• Rewriting bad questions live was more effective than slide-heavy explanation.
• Participants improved most when they practiced follow-up questions, not opening questions.

Result

The workshop helped move participants from idea-centered interviewing to behavior-centered discovery.

Why It Matters

Better interview questions improve product direction before design and code become expensive.