Subject:
Usability Evaluation Methods
Usability Evaluation Methods in the
Development Lifecycle
Which types of usability testing are useful at each stage in the software
development lifecycle? Two web sites provide methods for getting feedback on
your designs.
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Conducting and Using Usability Tests
This overview is one in a series of usability articles sponsored by
Usability.gov, a web site of the Communication Technologies branch of the
National Cancer Institute.
The article's testing suggestions include the following:
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how to plan and develop tests
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how to approach potential testers
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types of questions to ask during usability testing
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how to conduct testing
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how to use test results
Usability in the Development
Lifecycle
http://usability.gov/methods/usability_testing.html
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Usability Testing Methods - Government of Canada Internet Guide
Canada's Internet Guide "supports the Government of Canada's Government On-line
(GOL) initiative by giving you a resource to help you put your services and
information on-line."
This article provides brief descriptions of an array of simple tests you can
perform on you web site or user interface.
These tests include:
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General Usability Testing
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Design Process Tests
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Card Sorting Method
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Wire Frame Testing
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Focus Groups, Scenario, and Systematic Testing
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Evaluation Tools
Each test description provides guidelines in the form of procedures, bulleted
lists, or explanatory text to get you started on your own custominzed testing.
Usability Testing Methods
http://www.cio-dpi.gc.ca/ig-gi/e/wse-esw/wse-esw4_e.asp
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Reference Materials
The following sources present additional ideas for usability testing.
The Usability Methods Toolbox
(organizes tests into four large method classifications and explains when to
use each type of test)
http://www.best.com/~jthom/usability/usable.htm
User Testing
("How to Plan, Execute, and Report on a Usability Evaluation")
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/pages/Graphics/Evaluation/
Deciding Which Type of Test to Conduct
(performing diagnostic testing, comparative testing, and verification testing)
http://usability.gov/methods/type_of_test.html
