How do you recruit and train participants for a cognitive walkthrough?

1 Choose your participants

The first step is to define your target audience and select participants who represent them. You want to recruit people who have similar characteristics, goals, and needs as your intended users, and who are familiar with the domain and context of your product. Depending on your research objectives, you may need between three and five participants per task or scenario. You can use various methods to find and invite participants, such as online platforms, social media, referrals, or existing customers.

2 Prepare your materials

The next step is to prepare the materials and tools that you will use for the cognitive walkthrough. You need to have a clear and realistic scenario that describes the task or goal that the participant will try to accomplish with your product. You also need to have a list of questions that you will ask the participant to elicit their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These questions should cover the four main aspects of a cognitive walkthrough: the user's goal, the correct action, the system feedback, and the user's understanding. Additionally, you need to have a way to record and document the session, such as a video camera, a microphone, a screen recorder, or a note-taker.

3 Train your participants

The third step is to train your participants on how to perform a cognitive walkthrough. You need to explain the purpose and process of the method, and what you expect from them. You need to emphasize that you are testing the product, not them, and that there are no right or wrong answers. You need to instruct them to think aloud as they use the product, and to verbalize their expectations, actions, and feedback. You need to demonstrate how to answer the questions that you will ask them, and give them some examples or practice tasks. You also need to obtain their consent and inform them of their rights and responsibilities.

4 Conduct the session

The fourth step is to conduct the session with each participant individually. You need to set up a comfortable and distraction-free environment, and make sure that the product and the recording tools are working properly. You need to welcome the participant, introduce yourself, and review the instructions and the consent form. You need to present the scenario and the product, and ask the participant to start the task. You need to observe and listen to the participant, and ask the questions at appropriate moments. You need to avoid leading or influencing the participant, and provide minimal guidance or assistance. You need to thank the participant, and ask them for any additional feedback or comments.

5 Analyze the results

The fifth step is to analyze the results of the cognitive walkthrough. You need to review the recordings and the notes, and identify the issues and insights that emerged from the session. You need to classify the issues according to their severity, frequency, and impact on the user's performance and satisfaction. You need to summarize the insights into key findings and recommendations that can inform your design decisions and improvements. You need to report the results in a clear and concise way, using evidence and examples from the session.

6 Follow up with participants

The final step is to follow up with participants after the cognitive walkthrough. You need to appreciate their participation and contribution, and provide them with any incentives or rewards that you promised. You also need to share the results and the outcomes of the session with them, and ask them for any feedback or suggestions on how to improve the method or the product. You need to maintain a good relationship with them, and invite them for future research opportunities if possible.