The first stage is to do desktop analysis to understand the industry background, institutions and user groups.
We will learn about the industry background, institutions and user groups in the company database and the second-hand materials searched externally. Among them, the industry includes but not limited to business environment, competition pattern, main participants, upstream and downstream supply chains, policy influence and other factors. In terms of organization, it is necessary to know the background of the customer's enterprise. In terms of user groups, it is a general understanding of the characteristics/portraits of user groups.
The second stage is to put forward the core hypothesis through the qualitative research of small data.
I will use my own database or my own partners to do qualitative research, one-on-one interviews or focus interviews on small data, and then make key insights and put forward core assumptions on the basis of previous desktop research and research.
For example, in the ThinkPad project, we interviewed not only the users of the product, but also the competitors and industry experts. The initial assumption is that the core TA population is "advanced in the workplace", and we have gained many key insights, such as classics are not out of date, but the way of telling classics is out of date.
The third stage is to verify it with quantitative big data and larger-scale qualitative research.
Through a wider range of quantitative big data and qualitative research, the accuracy of the hypothesis is verified. If it is found that the results are inconsistent with the original assumptions, it is common to start over. This assumption error is common, and consulting work is a process of constantly verifying assumptions and removing the false from the true.
The fourth stage is to write a strategic report.
Finally, it will form a strategic report with analysis, data, opinions and suggestions, which will greatly improve customer satisfaction.