Digital.gov Guide
Understanding design goals
This guide provides research methods and approaches to help teams establish design direction.
Overview
The tools listed here will help you derive insights and develop design hypotheses. You will find ways to develop a deeper understanding of workflows and processes to inform your designs. Tools include:
Content
Methods to help you understand your content needs
- Content audit
- Site mapping
Design challenges
Methods to help you explore your design space and its challenges
- Affinity mapping
- Comparative analysis
- Contextual inquiry
- Five Whys
Design opportunities
Methods to help you understand your existing application
- Cognitive walkthrough
- Heuristic evaluation
- Interface audit
Design hypotheses
Methods to develop design hypotheses and principles
- Design hypotheses
- Design principles
