Set goals for wireframes

Wireframes without clear goals become pretty pictures that solve nothing. Before drawing a single box, define what success looks like. Are you testing navigation efficiency? Validating content hierarchy? Proving technical feasibility? Different goals require different wireframing approaches and levels of detail.

User research should inform your wireframing goals. Understanding user needs, current pain points, and desired outcomes shapes what you test. Business requirements add another layer — conversion targets, brand positioning, competitive advantages. Technical constraints from platforms or existing systems create boundaries for your solutions.

Document these goals before starting. "Validate that users can complete checkout in under 3 screens" beats "Design checkout flow." Specific goals enable meaningful evaluation. They also prevent scope creep when stakeholders suggest unrelated improvements. Clear goals turn wireframing from exploratory sketching into purposeful problem-solving.