A great way to understand different perspectives and see if your project idea is feasible is to hold a focus group with members of your target market. A focus group is a small group of people who come together to discuss a topic. For Project Wonder, this means gathering people who care about your project, will be affected by it, or can offer helpful insight.

Choosing Who to Invite

Begin by identifying the people connected to your project. Think about the stakeholders who will be affected and consider details like age, background, community role, and experiences. This helps you choose participants who represent different viewpoints.

Once you’ve identified the right people, invite three to six of them to join your discussion. Select a date, time, and comfortable meeting place, and explain briefly what the conversation will focus on.

Preparing for the Discussion

Before your focus group, prepare a list of open-ended questions—ones that encourage people to share stories, opinions, and details rather than just saying “yes” or “no.” These questions should be designed to help you understand how your idea might work in the real world.

Moderating the Focus Group

When the meeting begins, thank everyone for attending. Explain the purpose of the discussion, how your project connects to the community, and what you hope to learn. If you plan to record the session for your notes, ask for permission.

As you lead the conversation, focus on being a respectful and engaged listener. Use open body language, don’t try to be the expert, and take notes. Ask clarifying or follow-up questions to deepen the discussion and make sure everyone has a chance to share.

Reviewing What You Learned

After the focus group, review your notes or recording. Group similar ideas or comments together to identify patterns or themes. Pay attention to different perspectives, especially ones that may challenge your assumptions. Use these insights to decide how to adjust or strengthen your project.

Reflection

Think about your experience and respond to the following questions:

• How prepared was I for the focus group? Why or why not?
• Which questions worked well and which didn’t?
• Did I hear a variety of meaningful opinions?
• Did the focus group support my project idea, or do I need to rethink part of it?
• What are my next steps based on what I learned?