Chapter 10: Usability Testing: The movie

HOW TO DO YOUR OWN TESTING

What to do if you're the facilitator

  • Try the test yourself first
  • Protect the participants
  • Be empathetic
  • Try to see the thought balloons forming over their heads
    • "What are you looking at?"
    • "What are you thinking?"
  • Don't give them hints about what to do
    • "What do you think we should do?"
  • Keep your instructions simple
    • "Look around the page and tell me what you think everything is and what you would be likely to click on."
    • "Tell me what you would click and what you expect you would see then."
    • "Try to think out loud as much as possible.
  • Probe, probe, probe
  • Don't be afraid to improvise
  • Don't be disappointed if a user turns out to be inexperienced or completely befuddled
  • Make some notes after each session

What to do if you're observing

  • Look for:
    • Do the get it?
    • Can they find their way around?
    • Head slappers (EX: "Why didn't we think of that?")
    • Shocks (EX: "How could she not notice that?")
    • Inspiration/User suggestions
    • Passion (EX: "This is exactly what I've been looking for")
  • Keep track of little glitches but don't let them distract you

Things to keep in mind

  • Brace Yourself
  • Don't Panic
  • Be Quiet
  • Brace Yourself
  • Remember that you're grading on a curve
  • Remember that you're seeing their best behavior
  • Pay more attention to actions and explanations than opinions