The Road to 2.7
Jane Wells
Automattic

Before and After
2.5/2.6
2.7

The Map: May
Usability Testing:
WordPress 2.5
May June July/August August September/October November
Usability Testing: WordPress 2.5
• Third Party: Ball State University’s Center for Media Design
• Usability review of WordPress 2.5
• Low-hanging fruit prototype development
• Usability testing (with eye tracking) of 2.5 and prototype
• Analyze findings, recommendations for improvement

Eye Tracking
• Desktop system
• Two cameras
(facial recognition,
reflection of laser)
• X/Y coordinates,
timecode
• Variety of outputs

2.5 Test Results
• Participants rated WordPress as very easy to use
despite having issues with specific elements
• Navigation structure ambiguity sometimes caused
disorientation
• Dashboard not considered useful
• Excessive scrolling caused annoyance and additional
work on Write screen
• Action links not always intuitive (example: commenter
name to edit comment)
• Media management a sore point across the board

The Map: June
Crazyhorse
Usability Testing:
Prototype
WordPress 2.5
Development
May June July/August August September/October November
Crazyhorse Prototype Development
• Select interaction model, general layout
• Identify high-priority screens
• Brainstorm new functionality
• Rapid design iteration and development

Superfast Prototyping
• Determine Navigation Model
• Select Screens/Elements to Redesign
• Wireframe/Review/Revise

Result: Crazyhorse
• Left hand navigation
• Drag and drop Dashboard
• Modified screen layouts
• Increased vertical workspace
above fold
• Simplified media upload process

The Map: July/August
Crazyhorse
Usability Testing: Usability Testing:
Prototype
WordPress 2.5 Crazyhorse
Development
May June July/August August September/October November
Usability Testing: Crazyhorse
• Participants use Crazyhorse at home
• Usability testing with eye tracking in lab
• Comparative analysis
• Presentation of results

Crazyhorse Test Results
• All actions completed faster than in 2.5
• Every participant preferred Crazyhorse
“I love it.”
“It’s definitely better.”
“It just seems to flow better.”
“More organized.”
“It’s more extensible.”
“Easier to navigate.”
“More efficient use of space.”
“Seems more modern, friendlier.”
“Looking forward to using some of
these features on a daily basis!”

The Map: August
Crazyhorse Merge
Usability Testing: Usability Testing:
Prototype Crazyhorse with
WordPress 2.5 Crazyhorse
Development Trunk
May June July/August August September/October November
Merge Crazyhorse with Trunk
• Don’t wait to improve interface
• Reduce parallel development
• Focus on user feedback

The Map: September/October
Crazyhorse Merge WordPress 2.7
Usability Testing: Usability Testing:
Prototype Crazyhorse with Design and
WordPress 2.5 Crazyhorse
Development Trunk Development
May June July/August August September/October November
WordPress 2.7 Design and Development
• Refine structure/design and feature set (wireframes)
• User surveys (navigation, features)
• New visual design
• Icon design contest

Making Decisions

The Map: November
Crazyhorse Merge WordPress 2.7
Usability Testing: Usability Testing: Usability Testing:
Prototype Crazyhorse with Design and
WordPress 2.5 Crazyhorse WordPress 2.7
Development Trunk Development
May June July/August August September/October November
Usability Testing: WordPress 2.7
• Confirm improved ease of use
• Continue refining design/features
• Catalog improvements for 2.8
• Prepare for launch

WordPress 2.7