Usability Testing

Usability Testing in (Design)

The best way to uncover errors in the user interface is to observe actual users trying to use the system while you observe. A simple setup will enable you to do this more often. All you really need is a room, some tasks, something to test and a few potential users.>

Why

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• Our assumptions are often wrong
• Observations are better than opinions
• Use insight to remove errors in user interface functionality
• Assumptions are based on our view of the usage

What

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Use people from your target group Get the user to think out loud Ask questions: What is that button for Was what happened what you expected Use stakeholders as observers (less room for debate after the fact)

How

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• Recruit Users 4-6
  • 50% from low domain knowledge, low computer skills
  • 25% from low domain knowledge, high computer skills
  • 25% from high domain knowledge, low computer skills
• Create realistic tasks
  • Based on user stories, use cases, or functional descriptions
  • Do not use the words from the UI in the task description (Don't plant thoughts in their head) *Observe
  • Stay quiet
  • Note what happens, not solutions
  • Describe what users do, not what they say *Analyze
  • Try to separate observation, interpretation, and solution
  • Prioritize the findings
  • Involve Stakeholders