How to Beta Test Hardware Products in an Increasingly Complex World
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The technological landscape is becoming more and more complex every day. The stakes are high and hardware products need to function flawlessly in a number of different environments to meet customer's increasingly high expectations. In this webinar, we'll show you how to run a robust beta test that will help ensure your product is ready to launch. To access the on-demand webinar, use this link: https://www.centercode.com/webinar/2016/december/
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How to Beta Test Hardware Products in an Increasingly Complex World
- 1. 1 How to Beta Test Hardware in an Increasingly Complex World
- 2. 2 Meet the Speaker Emily Hossellman Director of Marketing @ Centercode emily@centercode.com @ehossellman
- 3. Agenda 1. The current hardware landscape 2. The role of customer validation 3. Running a successful hardware beta test 4. Using the data post-beta 5. Q&A 3
- 4. 4 Who is Centercode? Services Fully managed tests and programs Software Complete test management platform Testers Access to 150k+ deeply profiled global candidates Content Free tools and best practices We've been running beta tests since 2001 Beta testing and customer validation are our core competency
- 6. 6 Current Landscape 1. Tech environments are more complex 2. Customers have higher expectations 3. The spotlight is bright
- 7. 7 Tech Environments Are More Complex More devices talking to each other Products themselves are more complex Hardware products do not function in a silo anymore Constant growth and increased fragmentation You're building for an ecosystem
- 8. 8 Customers Have Higher Expectations Decreasing tolerance for friction Do everything they want Be intuitive and easy to set up Instant answers to questions Personalization and flexibility Customers are vocal (with the good and the bad) Many markets don't have established expectations
- 9. 9 The Spotlight is Bright Press speculation about who will be the big players Buzz around product announcements can build hype A failed launch can be catastrophic to a brand Tons of companies trying to get into the space This creates a perfect storm for hardware companies
- 10. 10 Role of Customer Validation
- 11. 11 Beta Testing = Customer Validation Targeted customers using your product in real environments Increases quality, improves user experience, validates performance Many names: CAT, UAT, FUT, Customer Evaluation, Field Trials, Pre-release
- 12. 12 What Beta Brings to the Table 1. Introduces you to your target audience 2. Facilitates a focused, meaningful conversation 3. Gives you the opportunity to really listen
- 13. 13 What Beta Brings to the Table Not just technical check → Customer validation ● Sanity check / will they use it ● Out-of-box experience ● Test for interoperability/compatibility ● Prepping support processes ● Marketing insights ● Diversity - more eyeballs, more environments, more use cases
- 16. 16 Planning Set your objectives / get stakeholders involved early Visualize your tester team -- core criteria and segmentations Determine whether you need to do phases Anticipate unit cannibalism
- 17. 17 Recruiting Recruit targeted testers Build a detailed qualification process Look for enthusiasm and good writing Fill the toughest segmentations first Be efficient with your selections to get a wide variety
- 18. 18 Shipping Create a process for shipping/tracking Mark units and record serial numbers Plan for failed units Plan for international shipping Do 2-day shipping
- 19. 19 Shipping Keep your testers in the loop Confirm shipping addresses Make testers sign for packages Include chargers, cords, accessories Complete the out-of-the-box experience
- 20. 20 Managing Map out your test to align with your objectives Have a support process in place Triage feedback you receive Check alignment from the beginning Consider collecting video Collect detailed bug reports
- 21. 21 Managing Create a great testing experience Solicit feedback about comfort/usability/appearance Ask for feature requests Mimic real world feedback Test your firmware update process Regress fixes / get feedback on changes
- 22. 22 Retrieving Units Decide whether you need the units back (or if testers can keep them) Set the return expectations early Include return shipping labels and return instructions in the initial package Hold onto rewards until you have the unit back Process returned units quickly (and tell the tester you received it)
- 23. 23 Closing Say thank you! Identify rockstars and evangelists Keep testers informed Get prioritized data to your stakeholders
- 25. 25 Improve Quality Prioritize your bugs using scoring Attach test platforms Use the data to justify changes
- 26. 26 Prepare Support Improve documentation based on hurdles testers faced Prepare for known issues Build in more customer feedback mechanisms
- 27. 27 Fuel Marketing & PR Build a trove of user generated content (quotes, videos, testimonials) Find what testers loved about your product Use data to back up marketing claims Find new use cases Identify/cultivate evangelists Publicize your beta success
- 28. 28 Final Thoughts Beta testing is your chance to get true customer validation Plan out your test: priorities and stakeholders Set up your test well and the feedback will come naturally Trends will emerge, look for alignment Listen to the feedback
- 29. 29 Q&A Emily Hossellman Director of Marketing @ Centercode emily@centercode.com @ehossellman Sign up for our newsletter For more resources, visit our library
- 30. 30 Thank You!