Best practices for taking notes

When I take notes I usually use Google Docs. If I don't have my laptop with me I use pen and paper because I type like a grandmother on my phone.

Here is an awesome Lifehacker article on note taking.

I asked this same question last fall when I started on a new team. It ultimately depends on what works for you as the interviewer, but I've seen a variety of note-taking styles within my team. I've seen a Sr. Business Consultant take free-form notes through a basic Word document, and expand on the observations and action items immediately after a working session. I've seen another Business Consultant take notes through pen and paper, white board any rough process flows, and build final presentation materials on his laptop. I tend to lean towards mind mapping techniques on paper and move the important takeaways to my laptop. Whether it's sticky notes, doodles on a notepad, or detailed diagramming, if it helps you understand the highlights of the interviews, it works. It's just a matter of translating those notes to your audience, i.e. lead or upper management.

Colin - Thanks for sharing the link. An awesome resource.

Luna - Yes, different interviewers have different methods of taking down notes. Thanks for sharing that perspective.

When it comes to documenting interview notes (face-to-face interviews) vs. only observation notes (shadowing the interviewees) , what could be the key considerations if the note taker is not experienced?