What is the process of uncovering user needs, goals, and motivations called?

The process of uncovering user needs, goals, and motivations is referred to as user research. This critical aspect of user experience design involves various methods, such as interviews, surveys, and observations, to gather insights directly from users. By engaging with users, designers can better understand their behaviors, preferences, and motivations, which in turn informs the design process and helps create products that effectively meet user needs.

User research is foundational for developing user-centered designs. It ensures that the product resonates with its intended audience, addresses real problems, and aligns with users' goals. This understanding is essential for making informed design decisions that enhance usability and overall user satisfaction.

Other terms mentioned, such as user testing, content analysis, and usability evaluation, serve different purposes in the UX process. While user testing involves evaluating a product with real users to gather feedback on its usability, content analysis focuses on reviewing existing content to understand its effectiveness. Usability evaluation assesses a product to identify areas for improvement in terms of user interaction and experience. Each of these methods plays a role in the design lifecycle but does not specifically emphasize the initial uncovering of user needs and motivations, which is the essence of user research.