This document provides an overview of user testing for product managers. It discusses how user testing involves having users perform tasks to evaluate a product's usability and ease of use. The document notes that while user testing can be expensive and time-consuming, it is important for identifying problems. It then outlines the roles and responsibilities of facilitators and observers during a user testing session. The facilitator's job is to keep the user comfortable and on track while encouraging them to think aloud, while avoiding helping or judging. The observer documents points of confusion and potential issues without jumping to solutions. The document concludes by providing examples of tasks and debrief questions.

1. User Testing for
Product Managers
Jon White – Product Manager @

2. Usability
tes+ng
is
a
method
by
which
users
of
a
product
are
asked
to
perform
certain
tasks
in
an
effort
to
measure
the
product's
ease-­‐of-­‐use,
task
+me,
and
the
user's
percep+on
of
the
experience.

3. expensive
+me
consuming
difficult
requires
experts

4. expensive
+me
consuming
difficult
requires
experts

5. The type of usability testing we will be talking about
today, is not this:

6. It is this.

7. It is this.
YOU
USER
PRODUCT

8. Workshop Format
1. Some quick techniques and caveats
2. Test (2 participants)
3. De-Brief
4. wrap-up

9. Must Haves
Should Haves
User (participant)You (faciliator)
Product
Observer(s) Screen Recording
Note Taker Quiet Room
Ingredients
Business Goal

10. Today we will do the test only

11. We are looking for the problems only

12. Read this book!

13. Before we start: I am not a usability expert!

14. Lets do it!!

15. The
Facilitators
job
is
to:
• DO
-­‐
make
sure
the
par8cipant
is
comfortable
• DO
-­‐
ensure
the
par8cipant
understands
the
task
being
set
• DO
-­‐
keep
the
user
on
track,
if
they
go
way
off
course
• DO
-­‐
encourage
the
‘think-­‐aloud’
protocol,
explaining
what
they
are
doing
and
why?
• DO
-­‐
be
quiet
J
Facilitator DO’s:

16. The
Facilitators
job
is
not:
• DON’T
-­‐
help
the
par8cipant
out
solving
the
tasks
• DON’T
-­‐
judge
or
offer
your
own
opinion
• DON’T
-­‐
react
emo8onally
to
anything
the
par8cipant
does
Facilitator DON’Ts:

17. The
observers
job
is
to
• Spot,
and
document,
points
of
confusion
or
problems.
Avoid
jumping
to
solu8on,
that
comes
later.
• Empathize
with
the
par8cipant,
do
they
look
frustrated?
Do
they
look
confused?
What
is
causing
that?
• Make
notes
of
follow
up
ques8ons
you
would
like
to
know.
The Observer’s job is to:

19. Task List
1. Print out your account statement for
July
2. Add NFL Redzone to your monthly
package

20. De-Brief
What problems did we notice?

21. FIDELITY

22. FIDELITY
low
high
mockups
sketches
finished
product
comps
prototypes

23. Discuss!!

24. Downloads
• This deck – bit.ly/UserTestingForPMs
• An example of a research summary
• https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EPo0jTRTv-ygvGVZZ6ecIVxn_GpSFECWUMmFDJ9uRS8/pub?
start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000#slide=id.g10c39f6e8_0148
• Handout
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/jpajmvi7nc882md/user-testing-cheat-sheet.pdf
• @jontheexiled
Jon White – Product Manager @