Usability Testing Add/remove

Purpose:

Usability testing of a design, product or service can be used in two cases: Either to explore the problems of an existing product, or to test one or more developed solutions. Even though developers have a large insight in users’ needs, the only way to create truly human-centered design is to test with real end-users. This way, the developer becomes aware of problems with a design, can find ways to improve it, and lastly learn about users’ preferences.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with Download template (pdf)

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

Hold

If participants are unable to hold, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members.

Ask the test person if recording the session is okay to be able to remember insights better.

Touch

If participants are unable to touch, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members.

Ask the test person if recording the session is okay to be able to remember insights better.

Move

If participants are unable to move, make sure to have a partner that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members.

Ask the test person if recording the session is okay to be able to remember insights better.

Speak

If participants can not speak, tests could be conducted by bringing along a translator or a co-interviewer. Another possibility is to prepare an test guide where the test persons read from the guide, interact with the solution and write down their answers.

Hear

If participants can not hear, tests could be conducted by bringing along a translator or a co-interviewer. Another possibility is to prepare an test guide where the test persons read from the guide, interact with the solution and write down their answers.
Ability to see

See

If participants can not see, bring a helper or another group member if in groups to write down notes from the test. Alternatively, bring an audio recorder and record the interview with permission from the test person. Rely on think-aloud test and make sure the test person understands that it is critical to describe their actions.

Focus

If participants have a hard time concentrating for the length of the test, arrange little breaks or bring along a co-interviewer so that you can take turns observing, asking questions and noting down.

Think

If participants are overwhelmed by guiding the test, make a short test with few actions. It might be necessary to bring a helper or team member that assists in writing down notes while conducting the test.

Overview

Input

A solution

Output

Information on solution problems, user preferences and behaviors

Complexity

Moderate

Time

1-2 hours

Participants

min. 2

Activity

Core abilities:

  • Communicating
  • Observing
  • Writing

Step by step:

  1. Determine the goals for the design, product or service. This could be done through a product development specification (PDS) or like. Use the template above to plan the test.

  2. Recruit participants! Always keep in mind that participants must be fitting the target group of your solution. Using people that are just available, like friends and family, can skew the results and cause your solution to move in the wrong direction, away from your real end-users.

  3. Now, decide which of the following types of usability tests you want to use:

    • A usability test can be performed as a think-aloud test, where the participant is given a task, and tries to solves it while saying out loud, what they are doing. The test responsibles note down the participants comments as well as their behavior. In this type of test, the participant gets room to interact and investigate your design in their own speed.
    • The usability test can also be conducted as a type of interview, with a combination of instructions and questions. One test responsible should note down the participants answers and another should look at their behavior. In this type of test, the test responsible is more visible and has more room to guide and get insights on participants’ thoughts, frustrations, etc.

  4. Make the instructions and/or questions for the test participants. It is important that the instructions/questions reflect the goal of your test. Remember to plan breaks if the test is exhaustive.

  5. Make an introduction for the participants. This could be used during participant recruitment, or in the beginning of the test, to make sure participants know what they agree to. Ideas for the introduction could be to:

    • address the aim of the test
    • explain about the steps and length of the test
    • inform that they can stop the test of withdraw their contribution at any time

  6. Use the template for writing down answers and insights when performing the usability test.

When doing this method you should consider:

  • It is possible, with permission of the participant, to record the session, to be able to watch the test several times. This way, you might be able to uncover more and more insights from the test.
  • It is important not to let the participant feel stupid or inadequate. This can cause the participant to give up on the provided task. Make sure to encourage the participant, but do not force them to complete the task, if they have tried their best.
  • It is always a great idea to perform a pilot test! Find the method for ‘Pilot testing’ before conducting the usability test on real users.

Materials needed:

  • Usability test plan (template)
  • Pens
  • The solution you want to test (prototype or final product)
  • Optional: Microphone/camera