Management Quote by Giles Colborne
““Visiting users in their workplaces was vital—if we’d simply imagined the manager at his desk we would have missed the crucial aspects. Watching people in the real world is quick and you rarely need to pay anyone to do it. Even with minimal planning you can learn a lot. If you can’t get permission to do it, then talk to some users about where they are and what’s happening when they use your software.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: User Experience Insights, 2015
Observing users in their actual work environments reveals hidden needs that imagined scenarios miss, enabling rapid, low‑cost learning.
In simple terms: Seeing real users uncovers hidden needs.
Key Takeaway
Observe users in context.
Themes
user research
empathy
design thinking
Mood
curious
practical
Type
observational
advisory
When to use this quote
- product design
- software development
- customer support
Key Concepts
Human‑centered design
contextual inquiry
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you gain insight without direct observation?
- What alternative methods can supplement field visits?
A Different Perspective
If access is denied, insights may be incomplete.
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