Testing design concepts and user journeys with real people is a highly effect route towards successful design solutions. I've organised and moderated usability testing on several projects and have experience of running testing sessions both on client site and within 3rd party usability labs.
Whilst usability testing is established in many organisations as an integral part of an iterative design process, it can also be used very effectively as an initial assessment of an existing site in order to identify key usability issues.
User testing can be carried out in a variety of locations with a recent trend being to conduct the testing remotely so that the testing participant is seen using the website or application in their natural environment. My personal preference is to conduct the testing in person where possible so that I can observe all the user's reactions to a given testing scenario.
My user testing experience can be summarised as follows:
- Organisation and management of onsite usability testing including the recruitment of test participants and recording tests to video.
- Usability testing in purpose built testing labs
- Creation of the moderators' guide
- Usability test moderation
- Selection and refinement of user tasks to be tested
- Creation of clickable prototypes (using Axure or Adobe Fireworks) representing key parts (or all) of a newly designed website or application
- Observation and note taking of user testing of sessions
- Production of design recommendations to address the key issues identified during testing sessions
- Leading post-test debrief meetings
I've found that when both the client and members of the project team get early exposure to a usability testing phase then having experienced the surprisingly difficult challenge of getting all users to achieve core tasks without issue, then armed with this 'insight' all parties can more quickly grasp the importance of thinking through the user flows with great care which allows the team to move forward as a more unified force.
This makes my role as a UX designer far easier and allows me to achieve an more effective result more quickly (i.e. less resistance to good, solid, usable design).
If you'd like to know more about my usability testing skills and experience please do get in touch.
(available
to discuss new projects)
