DESIGN
Usability Testing
Conduct Usability Tests
Usability tests involve observing participants as they interact with the product to uncover issues, gather feedback, and validate design decisions.
Why it's Important
Provides direct insights into user behavior.
Reveals usability issues that might not be apparent to the team.
Validates design decisions in a real-world context.
How to Implement
Facilitate Tests: Guide participants through tasks without leading them.
Observe Behavior: Take detailed notes on interactions, struggles, and feedback.
Record Sessions: Use tools like Zoom or Lookback for future reference.
Ask Follow-Up Questions: Clarify why users struggled or succeeded.
Document Findings: Summarize observations and feedback after each session.
Available Workshops
Facilitation Training: Practice running tests without influencing participants.
Observation Sessions: Team members watch live usability tests.
Feedback Synthesis: Consolidate findings into actionable insights.
Real-Time Iteration: Update prototypes based on immediate feedback.
Reflection Workshops: Discuss what worked and what didn’t after each test.
Deliverables
Detailed usability testing notes.
Recordings of participant sessions.
Initial list of identified issues.
How to Measure
Success rates for completing test tasks.
Time taken to complete tasks.
Number and severity of usability issues identified.
Real-World Examples
Airbnb
Conducted usability tests with hosts to ensure the listing process was straightforward.
Tesla
Tested in-car touchscreen interfaces with drivers to reduce distraction.
Zoom
Ran extensive tests to simplify meeting setup for first-time users.
Get It Right
Create a comfortable environment for participants.
Observe without interfering.
Focus on patterns across multiple users.
Document both quantitative and qualitative insights.
Follow up with users for clarification if needed.
Don't Make These Mistakes
Interrupting or influencing user behavior during tests.
Relying on a single participant’s feedback.
Neglecting to record sessions for later analysis.
Rushing to conclusions without sufficient data.
Failing to account for accessibility in the testing process.