The alpha's user research goal is to test the concept of a digital business identity and various solutions on SMES to address needs found in the first two discoveries.
The challenge of creating a user research method for this type of service is that it is a component service. The possible solution is fairly agnostic to the environment. The environment in a future state, could be that a single identity provider in the private sector would deliver the solution for government. Or it could be that multiple providers in the private sector would provide solutions. Government would make the standards and policy.
The method we've taken is to walk the user through a conceptual journey of encountering the DBI for the first time. The point of entry is a gov.uk page on DBI. Then benefits - derived from user needs - are tested with the user. Perceptions, reactions and needs are captured.
Through concept and content testing we want to validate or refute the needs identified in DBI discovery 2 around SMEs being over burdened and missing opportunities by presenting this solution.
Test 3 high level journeys: 1. business to business, 2. de-coupled, and 3. transactional point of need.
Present a user journey and assess how users respond to concepts.