Designing Assessment Questions That Actually Work
Mar 03, 2026
Why shouldn’t assessment interviews start with questions about “records”?
Most employees don’t think in terms of “records.” They think in terms of the work they do every day. Starting with “Tell me about your records” rarely produces meaningful insight because it forces people into unfamiliar terminology.
What’s a better opening question for an information governance interview?
A simple, human-centered prompt works best:
“Tell me about your job.”
This opens the door to understanding responsibilities, workflows, and the information people actually rely on.
Why does focusing on responsibilities reveal more than focusing on records?
Because people manage tasks, not retention schedules. When you understand the work, you naturally uncover how information is created, shared, stored, and used.
How do you tailor assessment questions for different industries?
The structure of the interview stays consistent, but the language and focus shift.
- Infrastructure: asset data, maintenance records, commercial operations
- Life sciences: privacy data, clinical trials, regulatory obligations
- Other sectors: aligned to their operational and compliance realities
Preparation includes understanding the interviewee’s role, responsibilities, and likely information touchpoints before the conversation begins.
Why is industry-specific tailoring important?
It ensures the interview feels natural while still being strategically targeted. People open up more when the questions reflect their world.
What does a series of interviews reveal that a single interview cannot?
One interview provides a snapshot.
A full set of interviews provides a map — a clear picture of how information flows across functions, where breakdowns occur, and where risks or inefficiencies hide.
What’s the core principle behind this interview approach?
If you want to understand information, start by understanding people.
Want to go deeper?
You can explore this topic further by listening to What Counts by TrailBlazer Consulting, Episode 3, where we break down how user-centered interviews uncover the truth behind organizational information flow.
