IBM Design

Sponsor Users

Partner with real users throughout your project lifecycle. Sponsor users provide continuous feedback, ground your assumptions in reality, and help validate solutions.

Duration
30 mins
Group Size
3-5
Category
IBM Design
Difficulty
Easy
The goals of this exercise are to ground work in real user needs, get continuous feedback, validate assumptions quickly, and build empathy over time.
You will identify sponsor users, engage champions, and foster user advocacy.
These aren't one-time interviews; they're ongoing partnerships. Build relationships. Show how their feedback influenced decisions. Don't just extract value—give back. Rotate sponsor users every 3-6 months to avoid narrow perspectives. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a sponsor user relationship may not work out. Be prepared to address this gracefully.
Here's how to set up sponsor user partnerships:

  1. Identify (1-2 weeks): Find 3-5 users representing your target audience. Seek diverse perspectives. Get their commitment for ongoing engagement.

  2. Engage Regularly: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly check-ins. Plan playback sessions, prototype testing, and contextual observation.

  3. Collaborate: Share work-in-progress. Test prototypes. Understand their context. Validate assumptions. Co-create solutions.

  4. Maintain: Respect their time. Show how their input was used. Share progress. Compensate appropriately.

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For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

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  • Communication tools

  • Scheduling system

  • Compensation budget

  • Work to share

  • Documentation method

Unlock Materials Required

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  • Facilitator Guide (PDF)
  • Participant Workbook Template
  • Presentation Slides
  • Printable Materials

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