How to Observe Usability Testing Sessions Without Making These Mistakes

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on December 14, 2016 - 4:30pm
usability testing methodology

Summary: UX Practitioners, and more importantly stakeholders must avoid making the mistake of over-generalizing or incorrectly observing user test sessions. Since the purpose of usability testing is to create informed design decisions, this is not a trivial issue. Poor (biased) observations are rampant. Let's fix this now!

Avoiding These User Testing Observation Traps...

Observing a usability test seems straight forward: watch and form an opinion. It is that simple, but if you are not careful of the way your mind works, you can end up with the wrong set of take-aways-- a potential disaster to what otherwise could be a rich learning experience.  Here are the main things you need to avoid and be aware of, to get the most from your observations:

3 hidden reasons your org should never do User Testing just once

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on February 20, 2016 - 10:07am
mobile usability testing

Summary: Doing regular, phased or iterative usability testing gives you the benefit to gain additional validation on design direction. It's primary function is to protect usability quality as designs progress or get distorted by internal constraints. Regular testing can help you establish maturity or UX culture and can teach you the important UX skill of user advocacy. 

Should you sit next to users during usability testing?

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on August 14, 2015 - 6:28pm
usability testing

Many of our user experience consulting clients often ask us if they can or should moderate usability tests sitting next to the user. The most common questions include:

1. Can I sit next to the user during usability testing? Yes, absolutely. Though there is no methodology rule for sitting next to the user during the test. The reason you would sit next to them is to provide more intimacy, or "hands on" moderation. In other words to make the user feel more comfortable.

2. Do I have to sit next to the user during the usability test? Not necessarily. Our usability labs are designed so that you do not have to sit next the user if you choose not to. This is really a moderator preference. We find it is easier to use our intercom system to communicate with the user, leaving them to work alone on their tasks. There is less chance of moderator stress or participant bias this way.