What is a Usability test?

Users make purchases on the Internet, try to install a device with the help of the operating instructions, operate a novel mobile phone or edit their daily business with the new software. While doing so, they are being observed by the Ergonomists. The participants assess the usability via questionnaire and interviews.

The findings from the usability test are implemented by the Ergonomen in practical and feasible optimization measures. The usability test is the key to the market success of your product.

Usability test in the lab: The parties involved in the project are present during the tests and see their own project through the eyes of the users. This change of perspective makes room for new ideas, solutions as well as a solution-oriented and objective discussion.

How is the Usability lab set up?

Our usability lab is equipped with a one-way mirror through which the test can be followed 1:1. The mirror and the sound insulation ensure that the subjects are not disturbed while working. The tests are recorded digitally. The recordings are used to evaluate the tests and also to prepare the most important scenes for the customer as a highlight video.

How to run a usability test?

The ergonomists recruit suitable subjects from their current data pool or on the basis of client lists provided by the customer. For qualitative Usability tests, 4-6 test persons per target group are sufficient to be able to develop concrete optimization suggestions from user point of view.
A scenario describes realistic tasks for the tests. Pre-and post-test questionnaires have been prepared, as well as an interview guide. After welcoming the participant, and mutual introductions, the test can begin: The test subject solves the tasks in the scenario, and comments continously on what is perceived as good or bad. By "thinking aloud", the interpretation scope is narrowed and the analysis becomes more concrete.
Then ergonomists interpret the test results and generate suggestions for improvement from the users’ perspective. Visualizations of solution suggestions can be provocative, to aid discussion of the most important usability problems. These proposals reflect the users’ point of view and are presented at the implementation workshop. Together with the client, we define concrete and feasible measures for optimization: thus, the workshop log contains the recipe for an efficient and effective usabilityoptimization.
 

Target groups: The ergonomists recruit appropriate test subjects depending on the problem and test objectives, for example from their extensive data pool