Usability Testing and guide to carry out a successful test.
So, what is Usability Testing?
If we keep it simple and clear, usability testing can be defined as the process of research that uses a group of people to test the completion of a certain task of a certain product. Usability Testing helps us to understand what are the positives and negatives of the product after receiving feedback from the user.
Thus, it helps in improving the effectiveness of the product and also improves the level of satisfaction and experience a user has. Where and what are the questions you are going to ask as the Usability Testing process often follows up with a questionnaire? Apart from certain exceptions, usability testing helps us to take one user at a time and helps to solve their problem.
Here are a few ways that will guide you to ask the right questions: -
1) Form a list of quality questions
It is a hectic and time-consuming affair to interview users, and it takes a lot of time to plan properly. It takes a lot of thorough research to prepare the questions. It may take a few days or even weeks to prepare for the sessions. After jotting down all the notes, organize them properly and you’re good to go. Double-check all the notes properly because all the time and planning you put in will go to waste if you don’t formulate the questions properly.
2) Build your questions on broader themes
It might initially feel quite obvious, however, it’s essential to ask yourself what you want to get out from the interviews. So, it is essential to think about broader themes which your questions will be going to cover. It’s equally important to mutually discuss with your team before putting your questions in front of your user.
3) Break down the questions into subparts
It’s essential to combine with your team members when you dig in for research so that all of you can be on the same page and save a lot of time. After sorting out the topic for research, you will formulate the questions. However, make sure to break down these questions into subparts so that your users can answer them more easily and you get valuable feedback. And these will help you cover all the follow-up questions.
4) Try to avoid questions that might affect the answer
It’s been observed quite often that most people ask questions that don’t leave the person much of a choice in answer. These questions are asked in a way that they show a tone of suggestive answers.
So, your question might be biased with your own opinion, and you cannot get valuable, impartial feedback.
5) Ask open-ended questions
You will see that some users feel really at home in answering all the questions thoroughly without any pause and don’t fumble while answering them as they are comfortable and know what they are talking about. However, there will be instances when the users will only answer straight to the point without beating around the bush because everyone has distinct personalities. So, it’s vital to ask questions which will stay open-ended so that everyone can feel comfortable while answering them.
6) Keep your posture proper
This might seem a tad bit unexpected, but the body language you’re dictating throughout the interview affects the output you want from the user. It tells the person sitting across you, that you’re listening to every detail you’re saying. It’s very important to make eye contact while you’re speaking and always try to stay positive, no matter how the conversation is going forward. You’ll look friendlier and easy-going if you smile while you’re conversing and you’ll get honest answers from your users.
7) Understand that everything’s doesn’t have to be right or wrong
It is very important to make it clear to the user that nothing is right or wrong and everyone has their perspectives. You have to make them feel comfortable in delivering their honest answers without the fear of getting judged over something that may be perceived wrong by most people.
8) Always start with some warm-up questions
Always make it a point to begin your questions with some easy-going and friendly so that they get used to it and feel comfortable. It’s a good habit to start with warmup questions about the outline of the topic you’re going to talk about before going to the depths of it.
9) Look at their body language
Always pay keen attention to all the details right in front of you, the manner they are speaking, how they are moving hands, modularity of their voice, and their facial expressions. You will understand a lot about the person by observing these minor details. You will be able to get a lot of feedback from their body language, and this helps you get a better understanding of their personality.
One of the key factors one must remember while doing usability testing is how the users will interpret the application of the product and use it in their way. By getting this feedback from your users, you can understand what questions work well and what doesn’t. So, you can improve certain aspects of creating a better experience. Always know that proper wording and the right to place the question plays a big role in meeting the goals of usability testing, so you always must be precise about it.
Having a skilled moderator can help you identify the situation when to put the important questions and frame them in the proper way to get vital information from the user. You can also use a pilot testing session to understand whether all the instruments you are using are working fine so that the data you will receive, or rather the feedback you get will be important user insights for your future projects. Considering that, feel free to Contact Us, we will appreciate your feedback.
