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Document $1$

Usability Testing

Usability testing refers to evaluating a product or service by testing it with representative users. The goal is to identify any usability problems, collect qualitative and quantitative data, and determine participants$$ satisfaction with the product.

During a usability test, designers will

learn if participants are able to complete specified tasks successfully;

identify how long it takes to complete specified tasks;

find out how satisfied participants are with the website;

identify changes required to improve user performance and satisfaction; and

analyze performance to see if it meets usability objectives.

The test results inform development by providing authentic feedback for the product designers. Usability testing is not just a milestone to be checked off on the project schedule. Because building usability into a website is an iterative process, usability tests are conducted throughout the development cycle.

Most standard usability tests take approximately one hour and involve participants trying to complete typical tasks or find specific information. Participants are instructed to think aloud as they work so observers can hear their first impressions and struggles as they try to complete the tasks.

Sometimes the tasks are defined by participants who already know what they want to do on the website. Alternately, participants work through scenarios: very short stories that provide context for tasks identified by the designers. The sample scenario below was written for a tourism site.

You and three friends are planning to go to the AnyTown annual music festival. Find and book a hotel for the night. Then find three restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and write an e$-$mail to your friends including links to the restaurants so the group can choose where to have dinner.

Usability$-$testing scenarios should not include any information about how to accomplish a task. The usability test will show how the participant accomplishes a task and whether the interface facilitates completing the scenario.

At the end of the session, participants might be asked neutral questions about the experience and specific words or phrases they used.

Document $2$

Developing Scenarios for a Usability Test: Some Tips

Identify your primary users.

Determine what tasks your website should help them complete.

Clearly state the users$$ end goals.

Be specific about criteria and$/$or conditions.

Avoid clues about the steps needed to get to the goal.

Tell the users what to do; don$$t ask the user how to do something.

Write in the users$$ words, not the product$$s or the designers$.$

Focus on the users$$ end goals.

Avoid promoting features of the site.

Make the task authentic.

Provide engaging, realistic context.

Question

Your team is redesigning the used$-$car website for AnyTown Car Sales and is planning a usability test. Based on the documents provided, which scenario would be best?

A$.$Your girlfriend$$s father is giving her a used car as a graduation present. Help her find a car that she will cherish that fits his budget.

B$.$You are having a baby and need a bigger, safer car than what you drive now. What is the first thing you should do after you get to our website?

C$.$You have just finished high school and are looking for a used car. Find a car that gets at least $30$ miles per gallon and has been driven less than $100,000$ miles. Make an appointment to test drive it$.$

D$.$You have just taken a job that requires a long commute, so you want to be able to connect your phone to the car$$s speakers for making calls and listening to music. Check out the new search filters, find some cars with wireless connections, and look for seats that are comfortable for tall people.

E$.$You are looking for a new car and need to stick to a firm budget. Find a car that is a good deal. Explain what information on our website makes you confident you are getting a good deal.