Usability testing provides a strategic platform to test and evaluate the design, user experience and usability of a software product or application.
The focus is also on ensuring that the application’s design is user-friendly and intuitive enough for users. This testing method tries to bridge the gap between the product or application’s features and benefits along with the specific user requirements.
In this article, you will get to know the five important steps that are required to conduct usability testing.
What is Usability testing?
It is a testing method to test the interface and functionality of your digital product, application or website. Generally, the participant’s behavior is observed and valuable feedback is gathered while each task is being completed.
The usability testing sessions can be performed frequently throughout the software development process so that eventually a usable product can be built. The design issues of the product can be properly addressed and solved accordingly.
Following are the five steps required while conducting usability testing:
1.The specific information should be obtained: Information pertaining to project goals, budget, timelines, specific metrics and different personas should be ascertained by the stakeholders and the concerned team. Quantitative metrics such as ease of completing the task (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 10), directness to path, time taken to complete the task and success rate should also be taken into consideration.
2.The specific scripts and user tasks should be developed: Keeping in perspective the testing goals, choose the specific tasks that should be completed by the participants. 0nce the specific tasks have been decided, then a script needs to be written that can be used to facilitate the testing process. The user tasks should be framed as goals.
3.Recruit the right participants: Based on the background information that has been used for gathering personas or user types, the screener criteria should be created for the participants. Example screener criteria include gender, age, income, social media usage, location specifics, technical know-how etc.
4.Carry on with the usability testing process: Once the scripts are ready, the users should be provided with the necessary tasks. Full attention should be given to the user so that specific follow-up questions can be asked and the notes can be taken down by the team during the session. If the user is unclear about some aspects of testing, then it should be addressed immediately.
Following are some of the follow-up questions that can be asked:
•What did you expect when you clicked on a specific button?
•Does this page meet your specific requirements?
•Is there anything that needs to be modified, eliminated or changed?
•Anything similar that you have observed while going through the website or application?
5.The results should be analyzed and findings should be documented appropriately: Based on the audience analysis and findings related to the testing process, a detailed report should be prepared.
Following are some of the key points that need to be included in the research report:
•A summary of the metrics, goals and the project background
•Factors such as the number and type of participants, tasks included and the specific metrics that were captured should be taken into consideration while conducting the study
•The results of the study can be captured in the form of quotes, video clips, visuals of the metrics etc.
•Specific recommendations or changes are to be made based on the research that has been carried out.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing usability testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a premium software testing services company that will provide you with a tactical testing roadmap that is in line with your project specific requirements.
About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.
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