USABILITY TEST TABLES AND FORMS

Usability test is a very popular technique for conducting in-depth qualitative analysis of the user experience (UX)
stories while engaging with the product or service prototype. Here are several tables and forms you would find
useful when conducting your own usability test.

Persona Goals Scenario (Tasks Result (Interaction with

Overview In Context) Existing Design or Future
Prototype)

Brief Overview Goal 1 - Be able Task 1 - Tell the Observable user responses in
(e.g. John, a to use one’s bill splitting app interacting with the prototype to
university favorite car who will split the complete the task
student, wants sharing, bill
to car pool with restaurant, and
three friends to event ticketing Task 2 - Use the Observable user responses in
go to dinner apps to do the ride sharing app interacting with the prototype to
together tasks. complete the task
followed with a
concert. He Task 3 - Use the Observable user responses in
needs an app restaurant app interacting with the prototype to
to aggregate complete the task
all the costs
and split them Goal 2 - While Task 4 - Use the Observable user responses in
with his doing the tasks, event ticketing app interacting with the prototype to
friends. automatically complete the task
aggregate all the
costs and later on Task 5 - Observable user responses in
split them among Aggregate all the interacting with the prototype to
the participants. bills and split the complete the task
costs

Usability Test Table

The USABILITY TEST (recurring patterns found in user stories) table can be used to describe the user’s (persona
--- a specific character such as John Chan, age 21, a university student who is a computer geek and early
adopter of new technology products and services) goals and the tasks performed in response to the user
interface, designed to deliver the given features and benefits.
 The Importance versus Satisfaction Framework
Source: The Lean Product Playbook by Dan Olsen

User goals reflect important user needs that should be met. Opportunity exists in the quadrant with high user
need but lower user satisfaction. Therefore, the JA team should aim to conduct usability tests that can show the
gaps between product/service features and benefits. The gaps are opportunities for innovation and improvement.

When conducting the usability tests, please do not give away the steps for performing the tasks. You want to see
how well the user interface is designed to enable appropriate actions to be taken using the new product or
service. Just describe the scenario for providing the context to the user to accomplish the task. The users should
be able to figure out the necessary steps by themselves for finishing the tasks to meet their goals if the product or
service prototype is designed correctly.

The testing script and consent form will provide the required instructions to give the team the legal protection
needed to avoid any unnecessary liabilities.

Please take the time to walkthrough these tables and forms and use them accordingly to complete your user
testing. The usability tests are never meant to replace traditional market research but to complement it.

TESTING SCRIPT (Gerry Gaffney, Information & Design, www.infodesign.com.au)

[Welcome the participant, offer them tea or coffee. Offer the opportunity to use bathroom
facilities.] Thank you for coming today. My name is [name]. We’re working on the design
for [product/service], and as part of the process we’re asking a variety of people to
attempt various tasks using it to see what elements of the design need to be changed. I’d
like to stress that we’re testing the product, and not your abilities. If you find parts of the
product difficult to use or understand, so will other people, and it will be our job to make
sure we make the appropriate changes to improve it. As you use the product, there will
be other people observing, and I’ll introduce you to them now. [Introduce participant to
observers – even if they are in another room]. Today’s session will last for approximately
[number of ] minutes. If you want to stop for a break at any time, just say so.
If Videotaping

We want to videotape today’s session, so that we can analyse the data in depth at a later
stage. The videotape will not be used for any other purpose. Please read and sign this
consent form, which states that you give us permission to videotape. [Administer consent
form.]

Explain any equipment

[Offer a brief explanation of the product/service and any ancillary equipment.] Introduce
tasks We have a total of [number] tasks, and I’ll give them to you one at a time. I’ll be
asking you to ‘think aloud’ as you work. For example, if you don’t know what something is
for, please say ‘I don’t know what this is for’, or something similar. I may also prompt you
from time to time to ask you what you are thinking.

Introduce Tasks

We have a total of [number] tasks, and I’ll give them to you one at a time. I’ll be asking
you to ‘think aloud’ as you work. For example, if you don’t know what something is for,
please say ‘I don’t know what this is for’, or something similar. I may also prompt you
from time to time to ask you what you are thinking. Do you have any questions before we
begin?

Task 1

At this stage, we will start the videotape. [Present participant with the first task. Read it
aloud also.] [When complete.] Thank you. We’ll now move to the next task.

Task n

[Present each task in the appropriate order]

Task completion and questionnaire

Thank you. That completes the tasks. [If videotaping.] We will now stop the videotape. I
have a brief questionnaire here that I’d like you to complete. The information you provide
is for our use only. Your name is not stored with the questionnaire data.

Debrief

Once again, I’d like to say thanks for coming today. [Give the participant their payment at
this time, if applicable.] Do you have any comments or questions about today’s session?
TESTING & VIDEO TAPE CONSENT FORM (Gerry Gaffney, Information & Design,
www.infodesign.com.au)

Purpose

Once again, I’d like to say thanks for coming today. [Give the participant their payment at
this time, if applicable.] Do you have any comments or questions about today’s session?

Consent

I, the undersigned, hereby give my permission for today’s usability session to be

videotaped for the purposes described above.

Name: _______________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________