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Usability testing

Description

We observe users performing a series of tasks. The tasks are chosen to reflect as realistically as possible the needs users and the business goals of the website. As far as possible we like to conduct usability tests in a natural environment such as the home, office or school where the site is most likely to be used.

We record on video the users face and the computer screen for later analysis. In many cases the users facial response can give a significant insight into how they feel about the site.

Benefits

Usability testing delivers many benefits including:

  • Quicker delivery
    • Less time is spent trying to resolve design decisions
  • Decreased risk of marketplace failure
    • Poor usability is a common cause of failure
  • Decreased costs
    • A reduction in last minute changes can save money
  • Improved client relations
    • If client and development team can both agree on a set of objective and user-centred goals the possibility of disappointment is greatly reduced

Usability tests will usually lead to improvements in the interface design, labelling, linking, information architecture and content of a site.

What we do

The first step is a stakeholder meeting to establish the requirements of everyone involved in the project. We work with the development team to build scenarios that cover the range of activities the site is likely to be used for. We will define the target audience(s) and recruit a representative sample of people to test. If necessary we will hire venues and arrange viewing facilities for observers. After analysis and interpretation of the test results we develop a set of prioritised recommendations.

Deliverables

We deliver a report including:

  • Executive summary
  • Overview of methodology used
  • Key findings
  • Annotated screen dumps
  • Recommendations
  • DVD of Video highlights

Usability inspection

Inspection by a usability expert will reveal any potential problems in the navigation, structure, interface or graphic design. Removal of usability 'show stoppers' is often the precursor to more detailed usability test.

Benefits

  • Quicker and cheaper than usability testing

What we do

We compare a set of web pages (typically one for each of the key page types on a site) with appropriate guidelines and conventions. Where appropriate we can also compare the pages to competing sites.

Deliverables

We deliver a report including:

  • Executive summary
  • Overview of methodology used
  • Key findings
  • Annotated screen dumps
  • Recommendations