Effective Focus Groups Whats a Focus Group It

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Effective Focus Groups

Effective Focus Groups

What’s a Focus Group? It is a technique. “…a means to elicit ideas and

What’s a Focus Group? It is a technique. “…a means to elicit ideas and attitudes about a specific product, service or opportunity in an interactive group environment. The participants share their impressions, preferences and needs, guided by a moderator. ” BABOK 3. 0, Technique 10. 21

What’s a Focus Group? q made up of PEOPLE q who possess certain characteristics

What’s a Focus Group? q made up of PEOPLE q who possess certain characteristics q provide qualitative data q in a focused discussion q to help understand a topic of interest Kreuger & Casey, “Focus Groups”

What isn’t a Focus Group? q More than 12 people in the room q

What isn’t a Focus Group? q More than 12 people in the room q Only scheduled for 30 minutes q Moderator spends more time speaking than anyone else q Participants are expected to agree

What isn’t a Focus Group? q Brainstorming Used to help solve problems q Communication

What isn’t a Focus Group? q Brainstorming Used to help solve problems q Communication Meeting Information is presented, not sought q Decision Meeting Gains consensus, decides

When do BAs use Focus Groups? BABOK 3. 0 q Elicitation and Collaboration q

When do BAs use Focus Groups? BABOK 3. 0 q Elicitation and Collaboration q Conduct Elicitation task q Strategy Analysis q Analyze Current State task q Define Change Strategy task q Requirements Analysis and Design Definition q Analyze Potential Value and Recommend Solution task q Solution Evaluation q Measure Solution Performance task q Recommend Actions to Increase Solution Value task

When is a Focus Group Appropriate? When you want to know…. q What people

When is a Focus Group Appropriate? When you want to know…. q What people are feeling q How strongly people are feeling q Ideas q What people think

When a Focus Group isn’t Appropriate? q Personal, sensitive topics q Emotionally charged issues

When a Focus Group isn’t Appropriate? q Personal, sensitive topics q Emotionally charged issues q There is no intention to use the information

Focus Group – Lets get Started 1. Understand Scope, then Plan 2. Execute 3.

Focus Group – Lets get Started 1. Understand Scope, then Plan 2. Execute 3. Analysis and Report 4. Closing

Focus Group – Understand Scope 1. What’s the issue, the question, the decision? Focus

Focus Group – Understand Scope 1. What’s the issue, the question, the decision? Focus Group informs the decision-making process, the Focus Group is not the Decision-Making Process 2. Who has the info we need? 3. When do we need the info? 4. Can we do this ourselves?

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the Interview. 4. Plan the Communications. 5. Agree on format for delivering results

Focus Group – Plan q 2. Who Identify has participants. the info you need?

Focus Group – Plan q 2. Who Identify has participants. the info you need? q Who haven’t you heard from? q Who may be most affected? q What joins or divides participants? Job? Female/Male? Age?

Focus Group – Plan 2. Identify participants.

Focus Group – Plan 2. Identify participants.

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the Interview. 4. Plan the Communications. 5. Agree on format for delivering results

Focus Group – Plan q What are the key questions? q lead-in and follow

Focus Group – Plan q What are the key questions? q lead-in and follow 3. Create Build the Interview. up questions. q Lock-in the key interview questions prior to the first Focus Group.

Focus Group – Plan 3. Build the Interview.

Focus Group – Plan 3. Build the Interview.

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the

Focus Group – Plan 1. Build the Schedule. 2. Identify participants. 3. Build the Interview. 4. Plan the Communications. 5. Agree on format for delivering results

Focus Group – EXECUTE! 1. Work through the Schedule. 2. Fight scope change, adapt

Focus Group – EXECUTE! 1. Work through the Schedule. 2. Fight scope change, adapt to participant changes. 3. Debrief, maintain consolidated notes. 4. Provide in-process updates.

Focus Group – Analysis & Reporting 1. Compile feedback. 2. Identify key pieces of

Focus Group – Analysis & Reporting 1. Compile feedback. 2. Identify key pieces of feedback received. 3. Highlight themes and make recommendations. 4. Deliver final report.

Focus Group – Closing 1. Ensure the Communication Plan is executed. 2. Record final

Focus Group – Closing 1. Ensure the Communication Plan is executed. 2. Record final feedback. 3. Reminder about that Communication Plan. 4. Capture and share Lessons Learned. 5. Don’t forget Communication Plan.

What does a Focus Group look like? q One Moderator q One or two

What does a Focus Group look like? q One Moderator q One or two Scribes q Comfortable setting q Snacks or a light meal

What does a Focus Group look like? Let’s see one….

What does a Focus Group look like? Let’s see one….

What did you see? q Opening statement? Level-setting? q Explanation of purpose and setting

What did you see? q Opening statement? Level-setting? q Explanation of purpose and setting Ground Rules? q Participants taking part; agreeing and disagreeing? q Facilitator pulling people into the discussion?

Where can you find out more? Focus Groups Kreuger and Casey

Where can you find out more? Focus Groups Kreuger and Casey

Effective Focus Groups Thank You q Howard Pearce, CBAP Cleveland Chapter International Institute of

Effective Focus Groups Thank You q Howard Pearce, CBAP Cleveland Chapter International Institute of Business Analysis