Planning your research is an important first step as you dig deep in to your problem area and begin to validate and invalidate your assumptions. The planning template below takes into account a variety of methods of investigation and the who, what , where elements you should consider as you explore your concept. Research plans should be revisited often and revised as you progress through the problem, solution and business model validation phases.
Create a research plan early on and revisit it as you learn. As you move into later stage testing change up the column headers so you can include prototypes and MVPs when they make sense.
Research plans can help keep you and your team on track and driving toward your shared goals. They can help keep you honest as well, just be sure to create and adapt your tests so you continue to test the riskiest assumptions about your venture first.
Download a PDF of the Highline BETA research plan here.