Create comprehensive interview guides for stakeholder interviews with a focus on product discovery. This free tool helps product managers prepare effective questions that uncover valuable insights and align on north star goals with key stakeholders.
Creating your stakeholder interview guide...
A good stakeholder interview is structured yet conversational, with clear objectives and open-ended questions. It should create a safe space for honest feedback, focus on understanding the stakeholder's perspective, and include questions about their goals, challenges, and success metrics. The interview should also explore alignment on the product's north star and vision.
Before the interview, research the stakeholder's role and responsibilities. Define clear objectives for what you want to learn. Prepare your questions in advance using this tool, but be ready to adapt during the conversation. Schedule enough time and choose a comfortable setting. Send a brief agenda beforehand so they know what to expect, and consider sharing key questions in advance if they require thoughtful consideration.
For north star goal questions, ask about their vision for success in 1-3 years, what metrics would indicate success, how they would measure progress, what they believe should be the product's primary focus, and how they see the product contributing to broader organizational goals. Also explore what they believe users or customers would consider the most valuable outcome from using the product.
When dealing with difficult stakeholders, stay calm and professional. Listen actively without interrupting, even if you disagree. Acknowledge their concerns and perspective. Ask clarifying questions to better understand their position. Find common ground by focusing on shared goals. If the conversation becomes tense, consider taking a short break or redirecting to a less contentious topic before returning to challenging areas.