The document discusses key aspects of usability testing including definitions, goals, methods, and best practices. Specifically, it defines usability as when a user can easily accomplish their goals in a system. It also outlines common usability metrics like effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. The document recommends user-centered design practices like involving users throughout the design process from requirements to deployment. It provides examples of usability testing methods like ethnographic research, card sorting, and usability testing. Finally, it offers tips for conducting usability tests like preparing surveys, having users think aloud, and systematically collecting both qualitative and quantitative data.

1. ENC 3241
Clayton Benjamin

2. » A product or service is usable when, “The user
can do what he or she wants to do the way that
he or she expects to be able to do it, without
hindrance, hesitation, or questions.”
Rubin & Chisnell. “Handbook of Usability Testing Second Edition”

3. » Usefulness – degree to which the product enables
the user to achieve his or her goals
» Efficiency – how quick the goal is achieved
» Effectiveness – the product behaves as suspected
and is easy to use
» Learnability – the amount of time it takes to learn a
system
» Satisfaction – the users’ perceptions, feelings and
opinions about a product
» Accessibility – products are able to be used by
person’s with disabilities

4. » “development starts with the user as the focus,
taking into account the abilities and limitations
of the underlying technology and the features
the company has in mind to offer,” (12).
» Early focus on users
» Evaluation and measurement of product usage
» Iterated design
Rubin & Chisnell. “Handbook of Usability Testing Second Edition”

5. » http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWc0Fd2AS3s

6. » Phases (requirement, development,
deployment) include user input
» Multidisciplinary Teams
» Concerned, enlightened management
» A “learn as you go” perspective
» Defined usability goals and objectives

7. » Ethnographic Research
» Participatory Design
» Focus Group Research
» Surveys
» Walk-Throughs
» Open and Closed Card Sorting
» Paper Prototyping
» Expert or Heuristic Evaluations
» Usability Testing

8. » Definition: The process in which an organization
gathers both quantitative and qualitative
feedback from their users in order to gage how
well their users can complete tasks with a
certain product and highlight errors that need
to be fixed in the next iteration!

10. » Inform design
» Eliminate Design Problems and Frustration
» Improve profitability

11. » Develop Research Questions
» Use sample of end users
» Represent actual work environment (?)
» Observe real users
» Controlled interviewing
» Collect quantitative and qualitative data
» Recommend improvements

12. » Think Aloud Protocol and Walk Through
» Surveys and Questionnaires
» Eye Tracking
» Video and Sound Recording
» Data Logging

14. » What to prepare!
˃ Prepare a brief survey collecting ethnographic information
˃ Prepare an exit questionnaire
» What to expect!
˃ Prep your user, tell them you are testing the product not them
˃ Ask your users to “think aloud”

15. » Record the start time, and time to completion
for each step
» Record any steps the user completes
incorrectly, or vocalizes they are having a
problem with
» Record any errors, such as grabbing the wrong
piece
» Record any interesting asides or quips