Usability Testing
”The most valuable solutions start with design ideas that are based on the actual behaviour of real human beings, rather than designs targeted at hypothetical or idealised users.”
From Jacob Neilsen 8 Nov 2004
www.useit.com
Acumentum conducts usability testing to ensure that designs meet pre-determined usability goals as well as identifying any design elements that require improvement. We observe real users performing authentic tasks so that we are able to record their reactions and any problems that they encounter. Should any issues arise, we validate these with the user to find out why the problems occurred. We then aim to eliminate them as early as possible within the product development cycle. Performing usability tests with real users ensures both the quality of the product and how well users are able to use it.
Usability requirements that we consider are:
- Application objectives – do users understand these?
- Features – can users recognise these?
- Navigation – are users able to easily navigate around the application?
- Layout and presentation – is all navigation, functionality and content clearly presented?
- Content and language – is there meaningful content and is the language used appropriate for all users?
- Usability of the visual design – does the visual design applied enable easy use of the application?
Usability testing increases the capacity for users to be able to understand, learn, use and benefit from the use of an application under particular circumstances.
