Uncover usability issues and mental models by observing paired users collaborating through tasks naturally.
Co-Discovery Testing pairs two users to explore a product together, revealing usability issues through their natural conversation and collaboration.
Co-Discovery Testing is a usability evaluation method where two participants explore and interact with a product together while researchers observe. Also known as constructive interaction, the method leverages the natural conversation between paired users to surface usability issues, mental models, and workarounds more organically than traditional one-on-one think-aloud sessions. UX researchers, product teams, and usability specialists use this technique when they want richer verbal protocols without the artificiality of a single participant narrating their thoughts to a researcher. The paired format is especially valuable when testing products designed for collaborative use, when working with younger users who may feel intimidated by adult researchers, or when individual think-aloud sessions produce awkward silences. By listening to how participants explain features to each other, debate approaches, and troubleshoot problems together, researchers gain insights into how users naturally reason about and communicate product interactions. The method typically involves 4 to 6 pairs completing realistic task scenarios while a moderator observes, followed by a debriefing discussion that captures additional reflections and suggestions for improvement.
Start by identifying the primary goals of your Co-Discovery Testing, including specific functionalities or aspects of the product that you want to assess. Be sure to clearly communicate these objectives to your team.
Choose a diverse group of participants who fit the target user demographics for your product. Aim for 4–6 pairs (8–12 people total), including a mix of novices and experts, or users with different background experiences.
Develop a set of realistic scenarios or tasks that individuals will need to accomplish using your product. These scenarios should cover key functionalities and user needs, aligning with your objectives. Be descriptive and detailed, providing context for the testers.
Explain to the participants how the Co-Discovery Testing process will work, detailing their roles, the dynamic of working in pairs, and the expected sharing of ideas and insights. Encourage them to ask questions and clarify any doubts.
Pair participants together, considering the balance of knowledge and skills among them. Encourage productive conversation and collaboration during the testing process, ensuring that they are comfortable openly exchanging opinions and suggestions.
Have participants work through your test scenarios as a pair, completing tasks while concurrently discussing their impressions, difficulties, and ideas for improvement. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feedback out loud throughout the session.
During the testing sessions, have a moderator observe each pair of participants, noting their interactions with the product and with each other. Capture both verbal and non-verbal feedback, as well as any struggles, successes, or insights that emerge.
After the testing sessions, gather the participants to discuss their experiences and share any notable findings. This group discussion allows for additional insights and potential improvements to be identified and shared among the group.
Review the data collected during the sessions, including observations, participant discussions, and debriefing notes. Analyze the findings to identify patterns, themes, and areas for improvement in the user experience.
Create a comprehensive report that outlines the key findings from the Co-Discovery Testing sessions, as well as actionable recommendations for improving the overall user experience. Share the report with your team and stakeholders for implementation of improvements and future testing.
After running Co-Discovery Testing sessions, your team will have rich qualitative data about how users naturally interact with and reason about your product. The paired conversations will reveal usability issues, confusing interface elements, and unexpected workarounds that participants discover together. You will gain insight into how users explain product features in their own language, which highlights both strengths and problem areas in your design. The analysis will produce a prioritized list of usability findings, documented user mental models, and actionable design recommendations. Teams typically find that co-discovery produces more candid and detailed feedback than individual testing, especially for collaborative tools and products targeting younger demographics.
This method works well when a power dynamic between researcher and participant might inhibit natural responses.
Review video recordings with participants afterward to better interpret their communication and decision-making.
Consider group testing as an alternative that leverages interaction dynamics even more -- useful as part of focus groups.
Pair participants with similar expertise levels to ensure balanced conversation and mutual discovery.
Brief pairs on encouraging each other to think aloud rather than working silently side by side.
Position yourself where you can observe without interrupting the natural pair dynamic or conversation flow.
Listen for moments when one participant explains something to the other -- these reveal critical assumptions.
Use pairs who know each other for more natural conversation, or strangers for unbiased fresh perspectives.
Pairing a novice with an expert creates a teaching dynamic rather than collaborative discovery. Match participants by experience level to ensure balanced contribution and genuine problem-solving together.
Moderator interruptions break the natural conversation flow between participants. Stay silent unless participants are completely stuck, and save questions for the debriefing session.
One participant may dominate while the other becomes passive. Watch for this pattern and gently encourage both participants to share their thoughts during the session introduction.
Relying on notes alone misses critical micro-interactions between participants. Always video record sessions to capture both verbal exchanges and non-verbal cues for thorough analysis.
The debriefing discussion often reveals insights that did not surface during tasks. Always allocate time for participants to reflect on their experience and discuss what they noticed.
Plan outlining objectives, scenarios, participant profiles, and data collection methods.
Step-by-step task guide ensuring consistency across all participant pairs.
Signed forms covering study purpose, confidentiality, and participant rights.
Video/audio recorders, notepads, and questionnaires for capturing interactions.
Approach for analyzing data using affinity diagrams or behavioral coding.
Report detailing findings, patterns, and actionable UX recommendations.
Visual presentation of key findings tailored for stakeholder audiences.
Pre-screening questions to recruit suitable participants for testing pairs.