Usability Testing

Evaluating the ease of use and effectiveness of a product by observing real users performing tasks with it.
Team
  • UX Researcher (Myself)
  • Product Stakeholder (Business Focus)
  • Developer (Tech Focus)
  • UX Designer (UX Focus)
Skills
  • Facilitation and communication
  • Recruitment and participant management
  • Task design
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Report writing
Timeline
  • 3-4 Weeks
Summary
Usability testing is a crucial aspect of UX research that involves observing representative users as they interact with a product or service, whether it be a prototype or the final version. The objective of usability testing is to evaluate the product’s level of ease of use and effectiveness by having the user perform predetermined tasks. This process provides valuable insights into the user’s experience and allows for the identification of any obstacles or difficulties they may encounter while using the product. The goal of usability testing is to uncover any resolvable issues and make improvements to the overall usability of the product, ensuring it meets the needs and expectations of its target users.
Types of Usability Testing
Evaluative Study: The most widely utilized and time-efficient approach, designed to uncover as many usability issues and opportunities as possible. Benchmark Study: This type of study measures the usability of a product in a live environment, establishing a benchmark for comparison with future designs. Competitive Study: This method compares the usability of a product against those of its competitors. Learnability Study: This type of study assesses the ease or difficulty with which users can learn to complete tasks using a product.
Case Study: Charles Schwab

Often in the beginning stages of study planning, I hold a research intake meeting where I invite designers, product owners, and other key stakeholders to brainstorm and understand what it is we want to learn

I determine the type of study (moderated or unmoderated) that is best suited for the research objectives, the number of participants, and the schedule for the study. I then find and recruit a representative sample of participants for the study, taking into consideration factors such as demographics, level of affluence, and type of investor.

I develop high-quality, precise tasks to address my team’s research objectives. With my proficiency in utilizing UserZoom and DScout, I am able to conduct thorough and insightful research that will yield the valuable data we need.

As an experienced moderator, I take on the responsibility of guiding participants through a series of carefully curated tasks that challenge their cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills. Throughout the process, I encourage each participant to share their thoughts and actions, and provide helpful feedback to improve their experience. While leading the participant through the tasks, I keep a watchful eye on their body language and tone of voice, unearthing more valuable insights. As part of my data collection process, I am meticulous in capturing both qualitative and quantitative data about the participants’ performance, including factors such as task completion times, success rates, and UX metrics like SEQ (single-ease question). Once the study is completed, I undergo a deep and extensive analysis of the data, carefully examining the results to draw valuable conclusions and identify actionable insights. My extensive experience in this field has taught me how to identify the most significant patterns and trends, and use them to develop strategies that can have a measurable impact on the user experience

I communicate the results and recommendations of the study in a clear and concise manner to all stakeholders, providing visual aids such as graphs and heatmaps to support the findings. Typically, my recommendations are addressing a specific business objective while also improving user experience. I then work with the development team to implement any recommendations arising from the study to improve the overall usability of the product.

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