User interview script (Mom Test)
Good discovery isn't about pitching your idea — it's about their life. This script keeps every question grounded in what people have actually done, so you don't walk away with false validation.
Best for: Founders and researchers doing problem-discovery and customer interviews.
Use this template free1 of 7
Walk me through the last time you ran into this problem.
A live preview of this template. Click through it. Nothing gets sent.
The questions
- 1Walk me through the last time you ran into this problem.Long textSpecific past episode > general opinion.
- 2How did you handle it? What tools or steps did you use?Long text
- 3What was the most frustrating part of that?Long text
- 4How often does this come up for you?Single selectDaily / Weekly / Monthly / Rarely — frequency reveals real pain.
- 5What have you tried to fix it, and why didn't it stick?Long text
- 6If you've paid for anything to help with this, what was it?Short textExisting spend is the strongest signal that the problem is real.
- 7Who else on your team deals with this?Short text
How to run it well
- Never describe your idea before asking these — you'll bias every answer.
- Chase specifics: 'tell me about the last time' instead of 'do you usually'.
- Silence is your friend — let people fill it; that's where the real answer lives.
- Look for emotion and existing workarounds; those mark problems worth solving.
FAQ
Why ask about the past instead of the future?
People are terrible at predicting what they'll do or pay, but reliable about what they've already done. The Mom Test builds every question on real history.
Can I run a Mom Test script as a form instead of a live call?
Yes — async written responses scale better and remove interviewer bias. Enform's branching keeps it conversational so answers stay rich.
Related templates
- Product-market fit surveyThe Sean Ellis 40% test, plus the questions that find your best segment.
- NPS surveyThe 0-10 question plus the open follow-up that explains the score.
- Customer satisfaction (CSAT) surveyMeasure satisfaction on a real interaction, not a vague overall rating.
- Onboarding feedback surveyFind exactly where new users stall before they reach value.