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USABILITY TESTING Common approaches July 2013
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INDEX 2
1. USER CENTRED DESIGN PROCESS
2. USABILITY TESTING: DIFFERENT APPROACHES
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1. USER CENTRED DESIGN PROCESS
When designing, one of the primary concerns is to clearly understand who the
end users will be and what their work environment is. Then, proceed on a step-
basis-process toward the creation of a prototype, anticipating the final model.
DESIGN STRATEGY &
ANALYSIS
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
WIREFRAME & CONTENT SIGN OFF
LOOK & FEEL PROPOSAL
PAGE & TEMPLATE
DESIGN
MOCK UP SAMPLE SREENS
DESIGN SPECIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
USER TEST
YES
NO
USER TEST
YES
NO
AGILE AGENCY MODEL
*The process is compliant with ISO 13407, 1999 - Human centred design processes for interactive systems
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User testing can take place while working on the project, in order to evaluate the
effectiveness of design solutions and put into perspective an eventual re-work.
WIREFRAME & CONTENT SIGN OFF
LOOK & FEEL PROPOSAL
PAGE & TEMPLATE
DESIGN
MOCK UP SAMPLE SREENS
DESIGN SPECIFICATION
USER TEST
YES
NO
USER TEST
YES
NO
DEVELOPMENT REDESIGN
USABILITY TEST
1. USER CENTRED DESIGN PROCESS
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INDEX 5
1. USER CENTRED DESIGN PROCESS
2. USABILITY TESTING: DIFFERENT APPROACHES
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Usability tests are a set of different approaches which have the aim to discover
usability issues.
Common approaches:
REDESIGN DEVELOPMENT
USABILITY TEST
• Heuristic analysis
• Usability test with user panel
• Focus group
• Eye tracking
2. USABILITY TESTING: DIFFERENT APPROACHES
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Heuristic Analysis is a usability test performed at least by 2 usability expert. The test
consists of a review that takes into account the usability heuristics (a list of recognized
common usability issues).
• RESOURCES 2 usability expert
No user involved
• COST
Low: is intended to be a “discount usability method”
• OUTPUT
Light usability report
2.1 USABILITY TESTING: Heuristics
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Usability Test measure actual performance on mission-critical tasks to be completed on a
website or application. The test begin with the identification of the target audience, that
will consist of one or more user groups.
When conducting user testing, the researcher asks participants to complete various tasks
without any guidance (ex: find out how to contact technical support). The facilitator
measure the time taken for each single task/user and issues encountered.
The final output is a usability report that describe and prioritize all the usability issues
found and suggest design action for the redesign of these functionalities.
• RESOURCES 3 usability expert
15 users to discover 85% of the usability issues
• COST
Medium
• OUTPUT
Complete usability report
2.2 USABILITY TESTING: User Tests
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Focus Group is a guided discussion with a panel of user to assess feelings, attitudes and
thoughts on a given topic.
A moderator facilitates a small group of 4 to 12 participants by demonstrating or showing
them a product or concept. The results of focus groups can be used as a basis for
generating hypotheses for further evaluations.
2.3 USABILITY TESTING: Focus Groups
• RESOURCES 2 usability expert
4-12 users
• COST
High
• OUTPUT
User insight report
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Eye Tracking augments traditional usability methods, and can be used together with them.
This methodology provides researchers and practitioners with objective data that the test
participant cannot report and the researcher cannot observe.
Unique insights about first glance, search patterns, failed search, and much more offer
guidance in how to solve different usability problems.
• RESOURCES 2 usability expert
10-15 users to have a significant set of data
• COST
High
• OUTPUT
ET report complementary with the usability report
2.4 USABILITY TESTING: Eye Tracking
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