Thursday September 27 - usability testing
- Design challenge process introduced
- Usability testing introduced (an overview of the process from Carolyn Snyder below)
- Before the users arrive, brief the in-room observers on how to behave, what to watch for, and how to take notes.
- Greet the users, brief them, obtain their informed consent, and pay them.
- Escort users to the test room and introduce them to the Computer and any observers.
- Ask users to introduce themselves and summarize their background.
- Explain the testing protocol—how to interact with the paper prototype, work together, think aloud, and so on.
- Facilitate each task, interacting with users as needed.
- Manage the time spent on each task, covering the areas that are of greatest interest to the observers.
- (Optional) Facilitate a short Q&A session with the users (and observers, if present) to discuss interesting issues that arose during the session or ask questions not covered by the tasks.
- End the session on time.
- Thank the users and escort them out.
- Debrief the observers—list issues and make changes to the prototype in time for the next test. (This can be done by a core team member instead of the facilitator.)
- Spatula: prepare reading kickoff for next Monday, Oct 1