Presentation from the Web Directions User Experience 08 Conference, Melbourne, Australia May 16, 2008

1. User testing for
the rest of Us
Youse are testing
for the rest of us
Web Directions User Experience 08
Melbourne

3. lnterpreting the Web
lnterpreting the Web
Usability Research
Usability research
Expert Review
Expert Review Review
Comparative
Comparative Review
User Testing
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…
Hati Hati!
Interpreting the Web

4. Usability = Translation

5. Interpreting the web
Bilingual
Fluent
Conduits
Ethics

7. Usability Research
lnterpreting the Web
lnterpreting the Web
Usability Research
Usability research
Expert Review
Expert Review Review
Comparative
Comparative Review
User Testing
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…
Hati Hati!

8. lnterpreting the Web
Usability research
Expert Review
Comparative Review
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Expert Review Tips & Tricks…

9. “Do error messages avoid an
anthropomorphic tone?”

11. “Do error messages avoid an
anthropomorphic tone?”

12. Usability Heuristics
Neilsen’s famous ten - 1990
Denise Pierotti, Xerox - 1998

13. Heuristics
• Homepage • Feedback Form
• Visual Design • Error Handling
• Coding • Navigation
• JavaScript • Search Interface
• Content • Search Results
• Accessibility

14. Home Page
• Is the site business clear?
• Is the site purpose is clear?
• Is search available?
• Does the Home Page support
multiple ways to reach content?

16. accessibility

17. lnterpreting the Web
Usability research
Expert Review
Comparative Review
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…
Comparative Review

21. User Testing
lnterpreting the Web
Usability research
Expert Review
Comparative Review
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…

22. format
one-to-one
focus group
lab-based
contextual
comparative

23. Stages
1. Prepare
2. Research
3. Report

24. Prepare
Prepare
Objectives
Profiles
Recruitment
Method
Tasks
Questionnaire

25. research
Research
Method
Note taking / recording
Analysing Results

26. report
Report
Format
Detail
Quality

27. lnterpreting the Web
lnterpreting the Web
Usability research
Reducing Cost Usability research
Expert Review
Expert Review Review
Comparative
Comparative Review
User Testing
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…
Hati Hati!

28. Cutting Back
• Interview location
• Documentation
• Recording Sessions
• Incentives

29. Cutting Back
• Reporting
• Participant numbers
• Do an Expert Review

30. But sometimes…
you shouldn’t cut back

31. What not to cut
• Planning
• Recruitment
• Incentives
• Analysis
• Recommendations
• Debriefing

32. Extreme Usability
Faster
Lower cost
Potential recruitment
weaknesses e.g. Surrogates

33. Guerilla Usability…?
Well suited to:
•Web Agencies
•Small in-house reviews
•Certain Agile phases

34. Traditional Usability…?

35. Traditional Usability…
More time for analysis
More detailed results
More time == Cost increase

36. Traditional Usability…
•Large organisations
•Government departments
•Independent evaluations
•When evidence or documentation is required

37. Tips & Tricks…
•Scheduling
•Self-recruitment
•Re-recruiting users
•Surrogate users
lnterpreting the Web
Usability research
Expert Review
Comparative Review
User Testing
Reducing Costs
Tips & Tricks…

38. Use a Checklist

39. … tips & tricks
•Incentives
•Leading participants
•Talking too much
•Rushing analysis
•Going in with set ideas

40. Questions….

41. scenariogirl.com
scenarioseven.com.au
slideshare.net/lisaherrod

42. Photo Credits
Pub Bogan – Sengsta
http://flickr.com/photos/sengster/2205138163/
Tree of light - JPhilipson
http://flickr.com/photos/jphilipson/2100627902/