Identify and improve your value proposition fit.
Assess if your prototype effectively addresses key customer jobs.
Assess if your prototype effectively addresses key customer pains.
Assess if your prototype exceeds your customer's expectations.
Learn how to use the Prototype Interview Template.
Select additional questions to complete the Prototype Interview Template. These questions cover critical pain alleviation, process friction elimination, risk reduction, emotional relief, social impact, and adoption drivers. Use these targeted questions to get clear, measurable feedback and drive your product or service forward. The questions refer to previously tested and identified customers’ ranked pains.
1. Critical Pain Alleviation
Ensures the prototype directly tackles the most important, tested pain points. This category focuses on the core frustrations and obstacles customers face.
- “Which of your key pain points does this prototype alleviate when dealing with [key job]?”
Directly connects the prototype to your customer’s most significant problems. - “Can you recall a recent frustrating experience when performing [key job]? How well does this prototype address that specific issue?”
Anchors the discussion in real-life examples for tangible insight. - “How does this prototype change your daily struggle with [key pain] compared to your current method?”
Measures the comparative impact on daily challenges. - “Which part of the prototype most effectively reduces your biggest headache in [key job]?”
Pinpoints the strongest pain-relieving feature. - “Does this prototype lessen the overall burden you experience with [key job]? If so, how?”
Opens a broad evaluation of its pain-reducing effect. - “What aspect of your frustration with [key job] remains unresolved by this prototype?”
Highlights gaps and areas for improvement.
2. Process Friction Elimination
Evaluates whether the prototype streamlines the customer’s workflow—reducing unnecessary steps, effort, and associated frustrations.
- “How does the prototype streamline the steps you take to deal with [key pain]?”
Gauges efficiency gains and process fit. - “Which process bottlenecks in your current workflow are eased by this prototype?”
Targets improvements in process efficiency. - “Does the prototype reduce the time and effort needed for [key job]? How so?”
Assesses measurable time and effort savings. - “Where do you still encounter friction in the process when using this prototype?”
Directly captures remaining process gaps. - “Can you describe how the prototype helps you avoid common process errors in [key job]?”
Evaluates the reduction of mistakes and inefficiencies. - “Does the prototype’s workflow feel more intuitive than your current method? Why?”
Assesses the ease of use and overall user experience.
3. Risk Reduction & Safety
Determines whether the prototype mitigates key risks—be they financial, technical, or social—that add to customer pain.
- “How does this prototype lower the risk of errors or failures in [key job]?”
Checks if the prototype effectively reduces risk. - “Can you describe a moment where the prototype made you feel safer or less anxious about [key job]?”
Captures emotional reassurance regarding risk. - “Does the prototype reduce any financial or technical risks you face with [key job]? How?”
Probes for tangible risk mitigation. - “What elements of the prototype help you avoid costly mistakes in [key job]?”
Identifies features that prevent expensive errors. - “In what ways does this prototype protect you from potential negative outcomes related to [key job]?”
Measures its preventive impact. - “Do you feel more secure using this prototype compared to your current approach? Why?”
Provides overall sentiment on safety and risk reduction.
4. Emotional Relief
Test whether the prototype alleviates negative emotions—stress, frustration, or anxiety—linked to the customer’s key jobs.
- “Does using this prototype reduce the stress or frustration you experience with [key job]? How?”
Directly assesses the emotional benefit. - “How does the prototype impact your mood when dealing with [key job]?”
Reveals the prototype’s effect on emotional well-being. - “Which features of the prototype help ease your anxiety about [key job]?”
Identifies specific elements that offer emotional relief. - “How does this prototype compare to your current method in terms of emotional comfort?”
Provides a comparative view of emotional impact. - “Does the prototype make the process feel less overwhelming? Why?”
Evaluates if it reduces cognitive and emotional overload. - “Are there any aspects that still cause frustration or worry when using the prototype? Which ones?”
Identifies residual emotional pain that needs addressing.
5. Social Impact Reduction
Determines if the prototype mitigates social pressures or negative perceptions—ensuring that users feel respected and validated in their role.
- “How does this prototype affect how you are perceived when handling [key job]?”
Measures impact on social credibility. - “Does the prototype help reduce any embarrassment or negative social signals you face with [key job]?”
Assesses its effectiveness in mitigating social stigma. - “Can you describe how using this prototype changes others’ views of your approach to [key job]?”
Connects usage with improved social perception. - “Which features of the prototype enhance your credibility or image when dealing with [key job]?”
Highlights elements that boost social validation. - “Do you feel more confident socially when using this prototype? Why?”
Reveals the influence on self-esteem and social comfort. - “What social or reputational challenges with [key job] does the prototype mitigate?”
Directly identifies the reduction of social pain.
6. Adoption Drivers from Pain Relief
Examines if the prototype’s pain-relieving features drive the customer to adopt it—turning relief into a compelling reason to switch from current methods.
- “What pain relief aspects of this prototype make you want to switch from your current method?”
Uncovers the key motivators for adoption. - “How does the reduction in pain influence your willingness to adopt this prototype?”
Links pain alleviation directly to adoption intent. - “Which improvement in your daily struggles with [key pain] convinces you to try this prototype?”
Identifies the most persuasive pain-relieving feature. - “Would you be more inclined to use this prototype if it further addressed [specific pain]? Why?”
Highlights potential growth areas and remaining barriers. - “Does the prototype’s ability to relieve pain in [key job] change your view on its overall value? How?”
Assesses its effect on perceived value. - “What additional pain relief would tip you fully towards adopting this prototype?”
Provides insight for future enhancements to drive adoption.
You can use The Prototype Interview Template for free. Instead, I would appreciate your feedback after at least 15 interviews to help me create useful innovation tools!