How to start the first usability test

It is believed that each product designer wants to be able to create the very good, the fitting user's product, but the usability test is a very good tool for the product promotion function, may provide many very valuable content for the product, lets you have the appropriate to find a delicate balance between the product and the user. Usability testing in a professional internet company is subordinate to the user research responsibilities, and user research this position is not every company will be set up, if you also like me to improve product quality and no help, there is no guide in this area of the peers, how to do? So I wrote this article, not because I am a user study, nor am I proficient in usability testing. Some time ago happened to chew some information, put down the notes and write down this article, this article can not make you proficient in usability testing, to give you a rough understanding of it, so at the end of the article, I will put some of the data collected before, to facilitate the follow-up in-depth study, At the same time hope that experienced people can learn a lot.

Preparation: Usability test Resource testing purposes: This usability test is for what purpose. Test time: Estimated time (90 minutes) staff: requires several staff, generally 5 of the usability test by (5 testers, 5 accompanying testers, 1 assistants, 1 moderators ) Testers: 5 participants (5 testers will be able to 80% of the problem found, the number is not good, looking for people can choose according to their circumstances, in general, more "light users" and "potential needs" of the moderator: responsible for the whole usability test. (Lecture notes below) Part I: Developing test scenarios and task

Task more ≠ task good set task not too much, 5 tasks can be, each task is not complex, it is best to naturally simulate the user's psychology in the beginning if you do not know how to start the test, you can put the product key points out, in the setting task, the task needs to test a few points first implanted, And then slowly began to write supporting tasks and environment, the task need not be more, the core.

Start design scenarios and tasks This article introduces a very specific, you can see here "usability Test task Design Method"

Part Two: Prepare Usability Test Task Test paper: Several testers are involved in the production of several sets of test paper (each task 1 pieces of paper, the word is big.) ) Information Registration form: Statistics Participant's age, hobby, sex, telephone screen video software: Faststone Capture (screen video software) If you have better to replace the moderator: see Miaoshouhuichun: Usability Testing and Optimization guide P76, the test process plan is well written: "Miaoshouhuichun: A Guide to Usability testing and optimization" P74, ditto Food: water, paper, pen

Off-topic: "Miaoshouhuichun: Usability Testing and Optimization Guide" is a system elaborated usability test book, very complete, the foreign treatment usability test is very rigorous, like a science research (foreigner doing things really very serious detail). But because not professional research, not all according to the book to do, but select some content targeted to do, but recommended that everyone have time to read this book.

Part III: Internal Communication & Prediction Test

Before starting the test, there are 2 things to do with all the staff to do a simple communication, the main communication: Explain the test process: Explain the purpose of the test, why to set such a situational task, what needs to be done, where the test time to pay special attention to the user's operation How to contact the User: When the tester does not go on the task of how to do, found that the user mood is not how to appease, whether to terminate the task and other conditions. Pre-test and modify scenarios and tasks find a sunny afternoon, please 1, 2 colleagues, simple to carry out a forecast test, the main purpose is to check whether the information is ready, the whole process is smooth, and situational task is reasonable, through the prediction test timely adjust these content, also let oneself a little confidence

Part IV: Finally began to test the t_t

The approximate process is as follows:

1. Welcomes

1. Self-introduction 2. Explain the purpose and time of the test 3. Emphasize to the user that the object of the test is the system, not the user 4. Please the user as far as possible "thinking aloud" 5. Tell the test to screen the video, but the results are completely confidential

2. Questions

1. Ask questions in the occupation, engaged in the industry 2. The situation of the Internet at ordinary times (how much time to surf the internet every day, what website) 3. Usually use product preference

3. In the test

1. read out the Task 2. Do not show in any way that the user is making a mistake or is operating too slow 3. Watch carefully and listen carefully to the user's recommendation 4. Identify user emotions and choose to stop Task 5 if necessary. When users encounter difficulties, try not to provide help, can give appropriate encouragement 6. When a user finishes a scene, it's appropriate to ask "why did you do that", as simple as possible

4. Questions

1. Ask questions that you want to ask in the process but don't ask? 2. Asking questions of concern while observing?

5. Farewell

1. Thanks User 2. Send the user to the door 3. Save the video, start sorting records & Analysis Part V: Finishing summary, analysis and improvement

Assemble all the staff involved in the test, and make a summary of all the recorded problems, preferably a blackboard, all posted. Then find out what can be improved immediately, first of all, to deal with the problem, then the big things carefully through the video, notes carefully considered, follow-up and product, interaction and so on to improve. This will almost complete a usability test, the above process can also be modified according to their actual situation.

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Reference

Here are some of the previous references, and if you are interested in usability testing, you can look at these documents again:

Miaoshouhuichun: A guide to Usability testing and optimization

Easy and quick usability test notes

Trade-offs in Usability testing (i)

Usability testing Process

Ucdchina Usability Test Topic

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