D I Y Usability Testing
FINDING A WAY to make usability testing happen wants vs reality
What we will cover 1 2 The value of usability testing A step-by-step how-to process 3 In-the-field examples & tips + your questions
HELLO! O U R N A M E S A R E Erika Dan
Erika Stenrick Creative Director Co-founder Digital strategy User interface design Graphic design Connect erika@uscreative.works
Dan Thiede Communications Director If it s related to communications, I probably do it. Connect thie0235@umn.edu
a Who is CERTs?
VALUE Why & when is usability testing worthwhile?
Watch. Don t ask. The first rule of finding out what people want: Don t ask what people want. -David Travis, The 7 deadly sins of user research
YOU ARE NOT YOUR USERS
WHEN? If I don t test now will. it be more expensive to fix later?.
CERTs Tested Early Prototype
WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR Impressions. Comprehension. Can users complete tasks? Feedback & Ideas. Flaws & Issues.
z QUALITATIVE NOT QUANTITIATIVE Understanding Why
STEPS Let s test! A step-by-step guide
Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash z 1. DECIDE WHO TO TEST
Prioritize your users! Don t diversify. Choose ONE key audience.
PROSPECTIVE vs CURRENT The Difference is Real
DON T RECYCLE TESTERS the ONE time recycling is bad
CERTs User Selection
2. KNOW WHAT TO TEST Most important tasks
CERTs Process
Scenarios Setting the scene Tasks The actions a user would take in that scenario (what you re testing) Practice them out loud. 3. WRITE TASKS & SCENARIOS
Scenario Tools & Guides: You d like to find options for your city to use solar. CERTs Scenario with Tasks Sample Tasks Find city-specific information you can use to move forward. Explore examples of what other cities have done with solar. Who would you contact at CERTs to get direct assistance?
z 4. RECRUITING YOUR TESTERS Photo by Camylla Battani on
Find 5 to 7 users
Possible strategies 1 2 3 4 MEMBERS, PARTNERS, NETWORKS SOCIAL, NEWSLETTER RECRUITING GET CREATIVE INCENTIVES!!
$50 Sweet Spot >>. CERTs Recruiting
5. SCHEDULE & PLAN LOGISTICS
Session Length 8:00am 8:30am SETUP TIME USER 1 9:15am 9:45am DEBRIEF USER 2
z REMOVE BARRIERS Make it easy.
<< 1. Convenient Room. 2. Close, free parking >>. CERTs Approach
THE BIG DAY!
7. SET UP You don t need a usability lab.. z
1.Big monitor. 2. User >>. << 3. Moderator. 4. A mouse!. 5. Multiple Observers.. 6. Snacks :).
Observe as a herd Jenny Hill on Unsplash
CERTs Setup 1. Big monitor, laptop, mouse. 3. Moderator >>. << 2. User. 4. Notetaker >>. 6. Snacks. << 5. Jolly Greeter.
8. RECORD IT! Shared Notes. Video. Google sheet & paper Lookback.io, Quicktime, Webex, etc
9. SET GROUND RULES 1 2 3 THE USER S EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS VALID USE THINK- OUT-LOUD PROTOCOL WE RE TESTING THE SITE NOT THE USER DON T TELL TESTERS THE 4ANSWERS Share these with your testers & with your team.
Intro Convo.
10. DO AN OPEN INTERVIEW How do you use the Internet for? Get several examples.
But that sounds scary! Be prepared But flexible. WHAT IF. They wouldn t use my site?!. Find out what they DO use. WHAT IF. They struggle to give examples. Use your backup tasks
But why would people make stuff up? They want to please They want to look smart They want to help They want to avoid silence
PAUSE FOR IMPRESSIONS What do you think this site is?. Who is it for?. Is it for you?.
11. SCENARIO TIME
Making Tasks!.
CHOOSE WORDS CAREFULLY Don t accidentally lead users towards the answer
Leading.
Interrupting.
Glossary.
Audiences.
Staff.
Stories.
Issues Glossary confusing on tools page How we can help not a good home for audience pages; create path from tools & guides Had no idea you could click on staff to find contact info, bio CERTs Major Discoveries Positive Strong focus on more narrative stories and case studies was great
12. TAKE DETAILED NOTES
13. FLAG ISSUES & RANK SEVERITY
14. PRIORITIZE ISSUES & BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS
But there are SO many things Iterate!.
CERTs Plan
& REPEAT z Usability Testing is great for identifying problems. Yet, it s horrible at identifying solutions. -Jared M. Spool
Next for CERTs: Testing content
Resources Usability.gov usability.gov/how-to-andtools/methods/running-usability-tests.html Steve Krug Usability Testing Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qckizhc99xc BOOK: Steve Krug: Don t Make Me Think A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Documents to Share Usability Testing Ground Rules Sample Testing Schedule Day-of Testing Checklist Open Interview Script (& printable scenario/tasks notes sheet) Note Taking Template (for group notetaking) Sign-up sheet up front
THANK YOU! Dan Erika thie0235@umn.edu erika@uscreative.works