Usability testing

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Usability testing Effective user research to make the web more usable for more people

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ? Why usability testing?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan We make assumptions

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Our users have the latest devices/software ‣ Our users don’t have any disabilities ‣ Our users should already know how to do that Making too many assumptions ‣ Our product isn’t that widely used to matter ‣ Previous products/approach worked fine

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ We build features people don’t need or hardly ever use Outcomes of not doing usability testing ‣ We may fail to consider different use cases, challenges/constraints ‣ Potentially break the law, get sued, bad press and reputation ‣ We turn people away to alternatives/the competition

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Usability testing / research

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan We’re testing the website/product. Not the user

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan “The goal is to determine to what extent the product or service as designed is usable” Erika Hall Just Enough Research | A Book Apart

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Measuring usability

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Learnability 5 components of usability ‣ Efficiency Nielsen Norman Group ‣ Memorability nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability ‣ Errors ‣ Satisfaction

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Learnability Do I need to consult documentation to use your website?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Efficiency I have a 100-odd other tasks to do today. Will this take long?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Memorability This website isn’t how I remember it. How do I do that again?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Errors Users struggle to find X resource. How can we make X easier to locate?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Satisfaction Is the website accessible and somewhere you’d happily visit again?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Explorative ‣ Comparative Methods of user testing ‣ Thinking aloud Consider one or more different approaches to user testing ‣ Remote ‣ Hallway ‣ Assessment ‣ Review-based

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Explorative ‣ Ideally performed by experienced testers ‣ Evaluate new or initial design ideas ‣ Iterative tests, defines future tests ‣ Test sessions are defined by goals

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Comparative ‣ Two or more design variations ‣ Rate positives/negatives in user experience ‣ Typically A/B testing ‣ Combine best features

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Hallway ‣ Testing done in high footfall public places ‣ Voluntary participation random individuals ‣ Quick, low-cost way to get feedback

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Thinking aloud ‣ Typically a series of pre-defined tasks ‣ Participant describes what they’re doing ‣ Gather feedback as they progress (or struggle) to complete the task

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Review-based ‣ Typically tested by experienced testers ‣ Pre-defined tests, often using automated tools ‣ Deep interrogation tests pre-production

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Assessment ‣ Testing of a prototype ahead of production ‣ Real-time monitoring often from another room ‣ Progress and reactions to series of tests ‣ GoToMeeting / Google Hangouts / Skype

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Remote ‣ Synchronous testing Real-time user testing via video link or remote sharing tools ‣ Asynchronous testing Automated/prescribed tests the user may choose to do in their own time and in their own environment

usertesting.com

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Rating the problems Rate each problem users encountered during the tests with a common scoring system Fails to complete task Completes with difficulty Minor problem High Severity Moderate Low 30% of participants Frequency 11-29% 10%

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Participants

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Find the right participants and treat them well

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Aim for 5-10 participants and usability tests

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Avoid using your own team as participants

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Testing for accessibility ‣ Get representative users ‣ Choose participants with a range of different disabilities and combinations of disabilities ‣ Allow users to test with their own aids such as screen readers, devices or other assistive tech ‣ If required to attend in-person, check the venue and transport to there is accessible

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Go to where the people are Testing environment ‣ Have separate rooms for the participants and observers with good quality mics and network connections ‣ Choose a comfortable space: a relaxed, home-like environment away from distractions and lab-like conditions ‣ Encourage honest feedback

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Get to know your participants and build a rapport What to ask ? ‣ Profile them and their web usage habits ‣ Have scenarios to work through ‣ How would you do…? ‣ What do you make of this? ‣ What would you do here?

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Handling feedback ‣ Choose a good facilitator ‣ Friendly but neutral ‣ Encourage honest feedback ‣ Stop if there’s any discomfort/not learning ‣ Observe and listen to suggestions and wishes from user

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Fixing problems ‣ Don’t wait for a redesign to fix serious problems ‣ Make small/simple changes to keep people from having the problem again ‣ Make adjustments between users such as removing difficult tasks

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Final thoughts

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Provide a breakthrough design ‣ Guarantee a successful product in the marketplace What usability testing isn’t going to do ‣ Prepare you for every single scenario or use case ‣ Substitute for QA testing (but can help define QA tests)

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Be open about your usability testing. Share your findings

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan ‣ Difficult to use and overwhelming forms ‣ Links and resources aren’t highlighted Some typical feedback from usability testing ‣ Challenging/hidden navigation menus ‣ Content isn’t presented or tailored for different audiences

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan “help the participant visualise the future product clearly enough to give useful feedback on whether they can achieve their goals” Jaime Levy Chapter 8 | UX Strategy | O’Reilly

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan “approach usability testing with the right expectations and conduct it early and often” Erika Hall Just Enough Research | A Book Apart

#usabilitytesting @calum_ryan Rocket Surgery Made Easy Steve Krug Just Enough Research Erika Hall UX Strategy Jaime Levy

Usability Demo https://youtu.be/QckIzHC99Xc

@calum_ryan calumryan.com thank you noti.st/calumryan