user testing presentation
TRANSCRIPT
User Testing
December 2, 2010
Linda Kolker, Instructor
Sponsored by Chamber Business Academy and PVCC Workforce Services
Today’s Agenda (revised)
1. Fundamentals of User Testing 9:05-9:55 am.
Break: 5 minutes 9:55-10:00 a.m.
2. Conduct Tests 10:00-11:10 a.m.
3. Class Debrief 11:10-11:50 am.
What to Fix/Review Best Practices
4. Instructor Evaluations 11:50-noon
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Restrooms: Go right—at end of hall Vending machines: Left
Who does she think she is?
• Expert at web best practices, site usability, writing
• Helped launch CD-ROM technology
• Wrote book HR Manager’s Guide to Internet, 1996
• Worked on development of scores of business web sites
• Worked with UVa Arts & Sciences web team for complete overhaul without changing overall design
• In-house training on web best practices
• Board, New Media Society of Washington, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council
• Grandfather transported technology and built first ice-making factory in Mosul, Iraq
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7
The test:
Tester
Facilitator
Observer
Identify problems
Choose process:
“Get it “vs. “Key tasks”
Recruit Testers
Define internal roles:
Facilitator
Observer
Debrief
Fix Problems
8
The test:
Tester
Facilitator
Observer
Identify problems
Choose process:
“Get it “vs. “Key tasks”
Recruit Testers
Define internal roles:
Facilitator
Observer
Debrief
Fix Problems
What you need
A test plan – “Get it” vs. “key tasks”
Participants – people who will test
Facilitator
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What you need
A test plan – “Get it” vs. “key tasks”
Participants – people who will test
Facilitator
Main observer
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What you need
A test plan – “Get it” vs. “key tasks”
Participants – people who will test
Facilitator
Main observer
Other observers
15
What you need
A test plan – “Get it” vs. “key tasks”
Participants – people who will test
Facilitator
Main observer
Other observers
A place to test
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What you need
A test plan – “Get it” vs. “key tasks”
Participants – people who will test
Facilitator
Main observer
Other observers
A place to test
A computer
Voice recorder or software (Camtasia is an option)
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Conduct the tests
Facilitator follows the prepared script
Main observer takes notes
Facilitator and main observer debrief immediately
20
Practice
Guidelines for using the script (p. 6, handout)
Practice the facilitator script (p. 7 , handout)
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Conduct the test
Find your sense of humor!! Relax.
FACILITATOR
Bookmark your site in “Favorites.”
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Conduct the test
Find your sense of humor!! Relax.
FACILITATOR
Bookmark your site in “Favorites.”
Put Google on the screen.
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Conduct the test
Find your sense of humor!! Relax.
FACILITATOR
Bookmark your site in “Favorites.”
Put Google on the screen.
Start reading the script. At the appropriate point, go to favorites and bring up your screen.
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Conduct the test
Find your sense of humor!! Relax.
FACILITATOR
Bookmark your site in “Favorites.”
Put Google on the screen.
Start reading the script. At the appropriate point, go to favorites and bring up your screen.
Make notes only on what you want to explore with user.
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Conduct the test
Find your sense of humor!! Relax.
FACILITATOR
Bookmark your site in “Favorites.”
Put Google on the screen.
Start reading the script. At the appropriate point, go to favorites and bring up your screen.
Make a note only on what you want to ask user later, for probing (ie: “Chose 2nd link—why?”)
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3… 2…1…
test!
Learn by trial and error. “Mistakes” are part of the plan!
If you need help:
Ask your tester (!)
Refer to handout
Ask instructor
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3… 2…1…
test!
Learn by trial and error. “Mistakes” are part of the plan!
Groups of three. An extrovert in each triad, if possible. [You know who you are ;-) ]
Choose your facilitator. For first round, should be the most outgoing, extroverted person.
Choose your observer and tester.
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Keep track of the time!
Each complete testing session has 30 minutes.
20 minutes for preparation and testing
3-5 minutes for home page
15 minutes for other pages
10 minutes for debrief (for this class only, tester can participate in debrief).
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Debrief
After multiple sessions, meet with team to identify all problems. They’ll be obvious.
Ask yourself: Will a lot of people experience this problem?
Will it cause a serious problem, or is it just an inconvenience?
List the problems you’re going to fix before the next round of user testing.
Take the worst first. Focus ruthlessly only on the most serious problems, or you’ll never get it done.
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Guidelines on how to fix problems
Follow best practices guidelines (resources are at the end of your handout).
BUT
They are ONLY guidelines. You must do what works best for your users and your site!
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Five Core Questions
1.What is this organization about?
2.What is this web site about?
3.How do I find what I’m looking for?
4.What can I do next?
5.How can I get back to where I was?
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Communicates the purpose of your business and your site
Tag line that explicitly summarizes what the organization and/or site does
Value proposition clearly stated
Name and logo at top / in upper left corner
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Do links take users to content they expect to
see? No surprises, please.
Does home page provide links to most
important (to users) content on the site?
On any page, can user tell where they are in
relation to entire site?
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Navigation
Best Practices for Your Web Site March 2010
lindakolker.com 434-984-6619
Subheads
Bulleted lists
Highlighted keywords
Short paragraphs
The inverted pyramid
A simple writing style
De-fluffed language devoid of marketese.
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Content
--Jakob Nielsen, Alertbox
Best Practices for Your Web Site March 2010
lindakolker.com 434-984-6619