Skip to content
NJIA UX

Lean Remote Usability / Interview Plan & Budget Template

For small, lightweight research studies conducted remotely use Teams, Zoom, or UserInterviews. Best for usability testing, prototype validation, or short resident, business, or stakeholder interviews.

When to use:

  • Testing prototypes or live websites with residents
  • Interviewing residents or staff without needing in-person context
  • Running short, focused usability or comprehension studies

Lean research:

  • Remote sessions only. Use Teams or Zoom, scheduled through UserInterviews.
  • Small sample size. Plan for 3–5 sessions — usually enough to surface recurring themes while staying efficient.
  • Participant incentives. Distributed automatically through UserInterviews (researchers do not handle payments directly).
  • Budget scope. Covers participant compensation only. No travel, lodging, or additional expenses.
  • Simple research design. Keep the focus on clear, open-ended, plain-language questions. Avoid jargon and leading phrasing.
  • Quick turnaround. Plan to synthesize findings within Dovetail immediately after sessions, so insights can be shared within days, not weeks.

1. Background & Goals

Section titled “1. Background & Goals”

Project title: ______________________ Team members: ______________________ Date: ______________________

Research goals / hypotheses:

  • Goal 1: ______________________
  • Goal 2: ______________________
  • Goal 3: ______________________

2. Research Questions

Section titled “2. Research Questions”

Tips for writing strong research questions:

  • Ask open-ended questions (e.g., “Tell me about the last time you…”).
  • Avoid leading questions (don’t suggest the “right” answer).
  • Avoid yes/no questions (they give little insight).
  • Use plain, short language. Break apart “double-barreled” questions.
  • Mirror back participant responses to check understanding.

Example: ❌ “Do you like this new homepage?” ✅ “What do you like or not like about this homepage?”

3. Methods

Section titled “3. Methods”
  • Remote moderated interviews (Teams or Zoom)
  • Remote unmoderated usability tests (via UserInterviews)
  • Remote survey (optional add-on)

Duration per session: _______ minutes Number of sessions planned: ___

(Recommended: 3–5 sessions — consistent themes often emerge after this range)

4. Participant Recruitment

Section titled “4. Participant Recruitment”

Recruitment platform: UserInterviews (handles screening, scheduling, incentives).

Recruitment Criteria

  • Location: New Jersey resident (unless comparable local population is acceptable)
  • Demographics: Representation across age, race/ethnicity, income levels
  • Accessibility needs: Include participants with disabilities and varied tech literacy when relevant
  • Language: Include Spanish-speaking participants if applicable (1-2 with support from bi-lingual Content Design Lead)
  • Experience criteria: Example: must have applied for or accessed a state service in the last 12 months

Participant Screener Survey (sample questions)

  • Do you currently live in New Jersey?
  • Yes
  • No [disqualified]
  • In the past 12 months, have you applied for or used any of the following? (select all)
  • Medicaid / NJ FamilyCare
  • SNAP / food assistance
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Disability services
  • None of the above [disqualified]
  • What device do you primarily use to access government websites?
  • Smartphone
  • Desktop/laptop
  • Tablet
  • Do you ever use accessibility tools when online (screen readers, captioning, etc.)?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Which language(s) do you prefer for reading information online?
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Other: ___________

5. Incentives

Section titled “5. Incentives”

Quick Compensation Guide (based on scheduled time, not actual time in interview):

  • 30 min → $45
  • 45 min → $60
  • 60 min → $75

Number of participants: _______ Session length: _______ minutes Total compensation: $_______

(UserInterviews will handle distribution; no additional compensation-related approvals or process is needed.)

6. Timeline

Section titled “6. Timeline”
  • Recruit participants: __________
  • Conduct sessions: __________
  • Synthesize findings: __________
  • Share results: __________

(Try a stretch goal of completing these activities in one, two-week sprint)

7. Budget

Section titled “7. Budget”
  • Participant Compensation: $_______
  • Other (if any): $_______
  • Total Requested Budget: $_______

8. Research Risks

Section titled “8. Research Risks”
  • Sensitive topics: Risk of participant distress if discussing benefits, disabilities, or personal hardships.
  • Digital barriers: Some participants may have limited access to reliable internet or devices.
  • Accessibility gaps: Need to ensure remote platforms are screen-reader friendly and allow captioning.
  • Representation bias: Recruiting only online may exclude those with limited tech access.

9. Research Considerations

Section titled “9. Research Considerations”
  • Use trauma-informed practices when discussing sensitive topics (remind participants they can skip questions).
  • Offer co-navigator option for participants with disabilities (e.g., caregiver present during session).
  • Schedule sessions flexibly to accommodate participants’ availability. Connect your Outlook calendar to UserInterviews for hassle-free scheduling.
  • If Spanish or other language support is required, plan for interpreters or bilingual moderators.
  • Consider piloting the interview script with 1–2 people before full launch.

10. Approval Path

Section titled “10. Approval Path”
  • Peer Review
  • Design Director Review
  • Finance Director/Chief of Staff Budget Approval (if > $500)