On Being a Guinea Pig
An interesting take on Usability Testing from a participant's viewpoint ...
"My first proper experience of being a user interface test subject. You sign the disclaimer and they explain the procedure; "you can stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable". You undertake a series of exercises while being watched and videoed. Software logs your actions for later analysis.
As you work you're encouraged to "think out loud". At first I found the whole experimental experience distracting, aware that behind my shoulder someone was taking furious notes, while everything I was asked to do had been carefully thought out and was being recorded. This is just one of the factors that makes UI testing troublesome.
The reason to take part in this artificial exercise is the essential feedback it gives to the developers. How many times have user studies shocked a development team? How many designs -- software or everyday things -- have been radically improved after "real" users have exposed their flaws?" continued ... (Via offtopicartisan)
"My first proper experience of being a user interface test subject. You sign the disclaimer and they explain the procedure; "you can stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable". You undertake a series of exercises while being watched and videoed. Software logs your actions for later analysis.
As you work you're encouraged to "think out loud". At first I found the whole experimental experience distracting, aware that behind my shoulder someone was taking furious notes, while everything I was asked to do had been carefully thought out and was being recorded. This is just one of the factors that makes UI testing troublesome.
The reason to take part in this artificial exercise is the essential feedback it gives to the developers. How many times have user studies shocked a development team? How many designs -- software or everyday things -- have been radically improved after "real" users have exposed their flaws?" continued ... (Via offtopicartisan)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home