At Mendix, these are some questions we encourage partners to consider when defining and scoping proof-of-concept projects:

Know the Users

• Who are your users?

• Who are the business users?

• Who are the end users?

• How would you describe the users?

• What are the goals/motivations of the business?

• What are the goals/motivations of the end users?

• What are the fears/obstructions of the business?

• What are the fears/obstructions of the end user?

Know the Context

• What is the user’s story?

• What’s happening when they use it?

• When/where will they access it?

• How will they use it?

• What dependencies does it rely on?

• What device(s)?

Task Analysis/Prioritization

• What will users do on the site?
  (User tasks, content, features and functionality)

• Which tasks are critical to users’ success?

• Which tasks are most important to users?

• Which features of the site will users use the most?

• Which features are prone to usability issues?

• Which tasks are critical to the organization’s success?

• How often will users frequent it?

• What will compel users to return?

Measurable Usability Objectives

• Which tasks should users be able to accomplish easily with few errors?

• Which tasks should users be able to finish quickly and efficiently?

• What level of satisfaction should users have after using the site?

Where to Excel

• What are major pain points?

• What needs aren’t currently being met?

• What data to you currently have?

• How would the business define success?

• How would the end user define success?

• What’s the one thing we must get right to make it worthwhile?