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PMDiscovery Interview Synthesis

From User Interview to Opportunity Statement in One Session

The gap between a user interview and a sprint-ready opportunity statement is where most discovery work gets lost. This resource gives you the exact prompt sequence to run in a single Claude session — from raw transcript to structured opportunity statement — including how to handle contradictory signals and what the output should look like before sprint planning.

Discovery Interview Synthesis

One Session. One Opportunity Statement.

A structured prompt sequence that turns raw interview transcripts into sprint-ready opportunity statements.

The 5-Step Prompt Sequence
1

Load Transcripts

Paste all interview notes and ask Claude to extract raw quotes grouped by theme. No formatting needed.

2

Cluster Themes

Ask Claude to reduce quotes into three to five major signal clusters, each with at least two supporting quotes.

3

Surface Contradictions

Run a dedicated prompt to find where users disagreed. Contradictions are signal, not noise.

4

Draft the Statement

Ask Claude to write the opportunity statement using your team's template. Give it the format you expect.

5

Validate Output

Review the draft against original transcripts. If a key quote is missing, the synthesis likely lost something.

Handling Contradictory Signals

Expect Them

Most interviews produce contradictions. Flagging them is part of the process, not a sign that the data is bad.

Segment by Context

Contradictions often resolve when you separate by user role, experience level, or frequency of use.

Name the Tension

A strong opportunity statement can include an open question when the data does not fully resolve.

What Sprint-Ready Output Looks Like

Opportunity Header

One sentence: the unmet need, who has it, and why addressing it matters to the business right now.

Evidence Block

Three to five quotes that support the opportunity. Selected to represent range, not just the clearest signal.

Open Questions

The things you still need to validate. Listing them makes sprint planning conversations more honest.

Common Mistakes

Synthesizing Too Early

Starting the opportunity statement before all interviews are loaded means the first themes anchor everything that follows.

Ignoring Outliers

The interview that breaks your pattern usually matters more than three that confirm it. Do not skip it.

Over-Polishing

A synthesis that sounds too clean has usually lost the raw complexity of what users actually said.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Run a five-prompt sequence to convert raw interview transcripts into a structured opportunity statement in one session.
  • 2Use a signal-clustering prompt to group themes automatically and surface the most consistent user pain points.
  • 3Flag contradictory signals early with a dedicated prompt step so you address them before they reach sprint planning.
  • 4Format your opportunity statement output to match the structure your team expects in planning documents.
  • 5Save the session as a reusable template so every discovery sprint starts from the same proven foundation.
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The Interview-to-Opportunity Prompt Pack

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From User Interview to Opportunity Statement in One Session | Fluent Hub — Fluent