What it is
Defines research questions, methods, participant criteria, and timeline to answer key unknowns. Stops research from drifting into open-ended exploration.
Concrete example
Short doc listing hypotheses, target segment (e.g., new admins in first 30 days), and methods (5 interviews, usability tests).
When to use it
Before any discovery cycle. Especially when stakeholders disagree about what we're trying to learn.
What Product Joi delivers
Research plan: hypotheses, decisions it informs, methods, recruit criteria, screener questions, timeline, and analysis plan.
Turnaround
48 hours
Format
Decision-first doc
Reviewed by
Senior product lead