In my previous role, we were tossing around some new features for our mobile app. To make sure we were on the right track, I led a series of validation exercises with our users. We started with user interviews to dive deep into their needs and frustrations. Based on that feedback, we created a couple of low-fidelity prototypes using tools like Sketch and InVision.

Next, we conducted usability testing sessions. These weren’t anything fancy—just observing real users interacting with our prototypes. We asked them to complete specific tasks and noted where they struggled or asked questions. This feedback was gold—it really helped us understand if we were solving the right problems.

We also used A/B testing for some smaller feature variations directly in our app. By exposing different versions to segments of our user base, we gathered quantitative data on user preferences and behavior.

These methods gave us a mix of qualitative insights and hard data, which was crucial for deciding which features to develop fully. It was all about staying user-focused and making informed decisions to ensure our product truly resonated with our target audience.