Which method involves examining what similar companies have previously accomplished?

The method that involves examining what similar companies have previously accomplished is research the competition. This approach allows designers and businesses to analyze the successes and failures of competing entities in the same industry. By gathering insights about what strategies worked well for others, designers can inform their own projects to avoid pitfalls and replicate successful tactics. This research often includes looking at design elements, user experiences, marketing strategies, and product features. Understanding the competitive landscape is essential in creating effective designs that meet user needs and stand out in the market.

The other methods, while valuable in different contexts, do not specifically focus on analyzing competitors. Studying documentation relates to reviewing existing materials or records, conceptual models are frameworks that represent how users understand various aspects of a system, and needs finding concentrates on discovering the preferences and requirements of target users. Each of these methods plays a crucial role in interactive design, but for the purpose of noting the accomplishments of similar companies, researching the competition is the most relevant choice.