Usability Testing

User testing ensures maximum conversion, return visitors and much more

To meet usability-testing objectives, we use the following process:

• A structured walk-through of the design with each individual user test subject performing typical tasks
• Quantitative analysis of findings whenever possible
• A combination of the think-aloud method and the exploratory method as a means of encouraging the users to voice their thoughts during the sessions
• Optional research techniques, as appropriate:
  • Usability lab sessions with recording equipment on premises
  • Usability lab sessions at research facilities
  • Remote web based usability interviews, practical for geographic dispersed user samples
  • Unique Eye Tracking service ideally suited to rapidly testing website designs
• A de-briefing session, including post-test questions to explore the users' experiences, brand awareness and preferences, as well as any additional questions that may be generated by the test experience
• We use the test results to generate design recommendations for fixing problems
• We conduct walkthroughs of the data and the recommendations with your team for review and discussion
• This presentation includes:
  • A categorized list of key usability problems found by users
  • Design recommendations needed to address the problems observed
  • Redesign alternatives and priorities

Usability Testing Benefits

Immediate benefits to your project, include:

• Empirical data from real users to identify usability problems with the website or application. For example:
  • How well do the users grasp the home page or main page?
  • Is the users experience in harmony with their expectations?
  • Can the users easily form a conceptual model of the site?
  • Does the design behave in easily predictable ways?
  • Where do users get confused or lost?
  • How easy is it for to find needed content or to navigate to a desired feature?
  • How easy is it for users to make selections?
  • How well does the design prevent errors from being made?
  • How easy is it for the users to recover from an error?
• Points your team to those changes that have the greatest impact on usability (as indicated by test results).
• Provide knowledge transfer of human factors and usability testing techniques to your team.

When implemented, the recommendations based on our usability test results will:

• Improved user experience and levels of satisfaction
• Reduced users frustration and brand erosion
• Greater appeal and effectiveness of the product

Usability Testing Deliverables

We prepare a usability test plan. This may or may not include all recruiting and research instruments.

We give a presentation of the findings and recommendations after completing this research, during an onsite meeting at your offices. We will allow ample time for questions and discussion.

We prepare the presentation in PowerPoint and provide it to your team as bound colour copy and electronically on CD.

Usability Testing Activities

Major activities in Interpix's usability testing process:

1. Project Kickoff and Planning
2. Prepare Test Plan
3. Usability Research Participants and Facilities
4. Conduct Usability Testing
5. Analyze Feedback and Prepare Presentation
6. Present Findings

1. Usability Testing: Project Kickoff and Planning

We collaborate with key members of the project team to refine the goals and metrics for the usability test. Your staff will brief us on areas of special importance, review user goals, previous research results and common use expectations. This briefing will form the basis for the usability testing scenarios and interview questions.

We work closely with your team to develop sample business scenarios. This meeting often takes place onsite with full or half-day day workshops.

2. Preparing the Usability Test Plan

Based on the information and direction received from your team, we prepare a Usability Test Plan, detailing the process we follow for testing, the techniques we employ and the tasks the users will experience. In this document, we will outline key components of the study including:

1. Usability goals/metrics
2. User criteria and recruiting screener
3. Testing Facility plan
4. Research-video consent form
5. Pre-test survey including brand salience exercise
6. Test tasks and scenario development
7. Post-test de-brief

You and your staff review and approve the plan before we begin recruiting usability test participants.

3. Usability Research Participants and Facilities

The recruiting and scheduling of representative subjects can be handled by us, yourself or a third party (usually a local professional research recruiting company).

In an effort to reduce costs, we often utilize our own portable recording equipment and hold the sessions onsite at your premises.

Note: The logistics for this activity are routinely underestimated in terms of time and effort required. The scheduling deliverable has critical impact on the schedule. We always recommends that this process begin as soon as the screener is approved.

4. Conduct Usability Testing

Depending on the complexity of the testing one or two of our consultants will participate in the testing. We ask the participants to perform tasks in accordance with the test plan and record their responses. Test sessions last for approximately 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, with a one-on-one interaction with participants. We will ask participants to use the "think out loud" procedure, to provide insight into their thought processes and reactions to the site or application.

5. Analyze Test Feedback and Prepare Presentation

We review feedback gathered during usability testing based on the metrics defined. We highlight the design attributes that generated positive feedback and will focus on opportunities for usability improvements. We develop a concise summary presentation, with results prioritized by major usability issues if any, and then enhancements. We also review insights gathered during the interview sessions and categorize these insights. We prepare a presentation in PowerPoint that will summarize the findings from the usability test and highlight key areas of concern. We use screen captures to draw attention to areas of confusion.

6. Present Findings

We present the findings and recommendations with your personnel. We will provide this in a PowerPoint presentation. We will allow time for discussion of all usability test findings, plus planning for next steps as appropriate.

A detailed approach to usability testing is all part of Interpix's approach to user experience design. This approach helps us to meet and exceed the essential principles and standards of usability.

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