This document outlines tasks and questions to guide a usability test of the Advisor Finder online tool for small businesses. The test introduction explains that PTG will evaluate the tool on behalf of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Participants will be asked to complete sample tasks within the tool and provide feedback on features and functionality. Questions probe participants' experience with similar business tools and information needs. The goal is to gather user input to improve the Advisor Finder service.

1. PTG GLOBAL
DIISR Usability testing task list ABN 27 089 738 205
L16, 207 Kent St
Sydney NSW 2000
Introduction P 61 2 9251 4200
1300 660 973
 Introduce yourself and the role of PTG. F 61 2 9251 7422
o I’m working for PTG and we are an independent 3rd party who is helping The
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Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to review an online
tool for small businesses called the Advisor Finder and gather feedback from you about
your needs from the Advisor Finder.
o This information will help them make improvements to the Advisor Finder.
 Explain Advisor Finder context in session:
o We are using a live product
 Explain testing procedure:
o Session will consist of a list of tasks
o Talk out loud as you are performing the task and thinking about what to do
o Questions about the tasks as you go
o Let me know when you have finished a task
 Explain purpose of this session:
o To get your feedback about the service and the features and functions
o Not testing your ability to use the search application, but testing the tool.
o I did not design the Advisor Finder
 Advise participant
o Recording the session (check if participant is comfortable with this)
o There will be observers in the next room
o Session will last about 1 hour
o You can leave at any time
 Any questions so far?
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2. Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Task list Version 0.1
1. Tasks – General
Tasks Time Navigation/functio Additional Questions/Comments
(mins) n being tested
1. Introduction 5 mins  Are you a small or medium size business owner,
accountant, or bookkeeper?
 Which industry is it in?
 Are you familiar with business.gov.au
 Have you ever used any of their services? Which one?
What were your impressions?
 Have you used the advisor finder tool before?
 [If yes] What were your impressions?
 [If no] What kind of information would be useful to you
when seeking business advisors?
2. Homepage – first impressions 5 mins  Advisor Finder [Allow participant to look at the homepage and then
homepage minimise the browser after 30 seconds]
 What are your first impressions of the Advisor Finder
homepage?
 Who do you think the website is targeting?
 What do you think the purpose of the tool is?
[If not correctly identified explain]
 The Advisor Finder has been created to provide small
business owners with a tool to connect with government-
funded advisory service providers within their area.
The Performance Technologies Group Pty Ltd ABN 27 089 738 205 Sydney  Melbourne  Canberra  Brisbane  Boston
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3. Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Task list Version 0.1
[Maximise browser]
 Any additional comments about the homepage?
3. You are the sole operator of your own 10 mins  Performing a search [Allow participant to complete search steps]
accounting business and are considering
 What are your thoughts on the search process?
hiring somebody to help you with the work.
Step 1 – Choose type of advice:
You decide that you need to speak with an
advisor face-to-face about the process. You  What are your impressions of this section?
go to the Advisor Finder to try to locate a
 [If not mentioned] – What do you think of the categories
service provider in your preferred location,
that are presented?
Epping (postcode: 2121), NSW.
Step 2 – Choose type of industry:
 What are your impressions of this section?
 [If not mentioned] – What do you think of the categories
that are presented?
 [If not mentioned] – What do you think the ICT option
refers to?
 [If not mentioned] – What are your thoughts on the
number of options you are able to select?
Step 3 – Choose your preferred location:
 What did you think about the specificity of the options
available?
Search
 What do you think of the placement of the search button?
 Is it clear which fields are mandatory?
 What do you expect the clear button to do?
Get participant to complete the same search without
entering the State/territory
 What do you think of the error messages?
The Performance Technologies Group Pty Ltd ABN 27 089 738 205 Sydney  Melbourne  Canberra  Brisbane  Boston
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4. Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Task list Version 0.1
 Is it clear which fields have not been completed?
4. Locate the nearest service provider to Epping 10 mins  Choosing appropriate [Allow participant to refine search results]
(postcode: 2121), NSW. option from the
 What are your impressions of the results page?
results presented
 What do you think of the way that the information is
presented?
 How do you think the results are ordered?
 [If not mentioned] – How would you go about ordering the
results according to ‘Suburb’?
 [If not mentioned] What do you think about the options
available to sort the results?
 Which section of the results do you think the sorting toolbar
applies to?
 [If not mentioned] - What do you think about the two
separate sets of results, i.e. ‘advisors’ at the top and
‘national advisors’ below? What do you think the difference
is between the two groups of results?
5. You can not find what you are looking for and 5 mins  Search again  How did you find that task?
decide to change the search to include advice
 [if not mentioned] – Would you like to refine search
on home-based businesses.
results? Why/why not?
6. You decide that you can not find what you 5 mins  Finding assistance  Where on the website would you access help or assistance
are looking for and want to contact if you did not find what you were looking for?
somebody to discuss your options.
 [If not mentioned] - What are your impressions of the help
function that is available?
 Is there any additional information you would expect to be
located in this section?
7. You would like to find more information  Detailed view  How did you find that task?
about the Regional Development Australia in
 What are your impressions of the detail view page?
Church St, Parramatta.
 Is there any information missing?
The Performance Technologies Group Pty Ltd ABN 27 089 738 205 Sydney  Melbourne  Canberra  Brisbane  Boston
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5. Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Task list Version 0.1
 How would you go back to the search results page?
 What are your impressions of the map pop-up feature?
8. Summary 10 mins  You have been using the Advisor Finder for 50 mins now,
what are your impressions?
 Is there anything you particularly like/dislike?
 Is there anything you would change? Why?
 Is there anything missing? What?
 [If not mentioned] – What do you think about the general
look and feel of the tool?
 Do you think this tool is useful to you? Would you use it?
 Any final comments?
2. Questionnaire (10 mins)
Note: A questionnaire will be provided to record participants’ demographics and perceived experience using the Advisor Finder.
Information to be verified includes:
1) What is your age?
2) Do you have ready access to the internet at home and/or work?
3) How many hours do you use the internet each day?
4) Are you a small or medium size business owner? If not, are you an accountant or bookkeeper?
The Performance Technologies Group Pty Ltd ABN 27 089 738 205 Sydney  Melbourne  Canberra  Brisbane  Boston
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