Extremely Rapid Usability Testing

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Extremely Rapid Usability Testing

• (ERUT)
• When you cant do anything do something its
  better than nothing
• (K. Holtzblatt)

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(No Transcript)
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What is ERUT

• Discount usability method
• Evaluation vs discovery method
• Mash up of informal HCI methods
• Questionnaires
• Co discovery
• Storyboards
• Usability testing
• Short time frames
• Less than 20 minutes
• Provides insights only

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Goal

• Narrow Focus only
• Two objectives
• Assess the usefulness of the core functionality
  of the product
• Find major usability problems in that core
  functionality

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The Methodology

• Recruit participants on the fly
• Prescreen questionnaire
• Core tasks that reflect the product USP
• Run the test
• Record results using storyboards
• Post test interview

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Recruit participants

• Advantage of ERUT in a trade booth context
• Broad brush of users in one place at one time
• They are in the booth willingly
• A hallway methodology attracts them to the
  booth

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Prescreen Questionnaire

• Short questionnaire that screens for that target
  audience
• Find the users three core tasks
• Compare to products USP tasks

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Define three core tasks

• Representative of the core functionality of the
  product
• One task should reflect the heart of the products
  USP
• Tasks need to be motivational
• Product should be able to do these tasks

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Run the test

• Run one task only
• Ask the participant to choose the task of
  interest
• Co discovery
• If participants know each other than test in
  pairs
• Equally or more important to observe comments
• Active Intervention or coaching if single
  participant

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Recording results using Storyboards

• Use hardcopy screenshots to record the story of
  where users traveled through the interface to
  complete the task
• - Paper is cheaper and does not require the
  hours of reviewing video tape.

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Post Test Interview

• Clarify and follow up on any remaining questions
• Key is to make the questions fit the trade booth
  atmosphere
• Work them into the conversation
• Expect not to ask them all

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Test Artifacts for Analysis

• Prescreen Questionnaire
• Identifies target audience, core tasks and
  indicates alignment with products USP
• Storyboard screens
• Records task, task success, user comments,
  visual picture of paths taken
• Post test survey
• optional

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ERUT Advantages

• Narrow focus on Business goals and core
  functionality produces valuable insights
• Rapid gathering of good quality user feedback
• Easy access to broad brush of users
• Fluid adaptable to change

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ERUT Disadvantages

• Narrow Focus
• Rapid hectic environment
• Participants are in a trade show frame of mind
  and their comments are not reflective of their
  real world.

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Summary

• Valuable methodology to have in your tool kit
  when conference or trade show opportunity arises
• Insights only
• Useful when faced with something is better than
  nothing