Introduction to Project Management and Writing
Week 3 - ethnographic research and needs analysis
OBJECTIVES: developing items from the mini proposal for the
actual project design:
- Needs analysis,
- ethnographic research ( = mini research task in class in groups)
OUTCOMES:
filling in the needs analysis chart:
Needs analysis and ethnographic research
We will be using this handout in class. When ready, upload the file for your group into IS.
needs analysis and ethnographic research chart
Please upload the file with your needs andalysis and the basic ethnographic research (introduced in class)
Differences between Needs Analysis and
Ethnographic Research
- Needs Analysis:
- Purpose: The primary goal is to
identify and articulate the specific needs, requirements, and
expectations of the stakeholders or target audience. It focuses on
understanding what is necessary to solve a particular problem or to
achieve a certain objective.
- Methods: Techniques often include
surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis to
gather quantitative and qualitative information about users' needs.
- Outcome: The outcome is a clear set of requirements
or criteria that the project must meet to be considered successful.
This can include functional requirements, user needs, business goals, and
technical constraints.
- Ethnographic Research:
- Purpose: The primary goal is to gain a
deep, contextual understanding of users' behaviors, cultures,
environments, and interactions. It aims to uncover insights about how
people live, work, and play, and how these insights can inform design
decisions.
- Methods: Techniques often include
participant observation, contextual inquiry, field studies, and immersive
interviews. Researchers spend significant time in the field observing and
engaging with users in their natural environments.
- Outcome: The outcome is a rich, nuanced
understanding of the users and their contexts, which can reveal
underlying behaviors, motivations, pain points, and opportunities that
might not be evident through more traditional research methods.
Integrating Needs Analysis and
Ethnographic Research
In practice, these two types of research complement each other:
- Needs Analysis provides a structured
understanding of what the project needs to achieve, setting clear goals
and benchmarks.
- Ethnographic Research offers deeper insights into the
contextual and cultural factors that influence how these needs manifest
and can be addressed effectively.
Needs analysis chart
This chart can help you when determining needs for your project. You are welcome to use this for your own reference.