Process
In this sprint we looked at different aspects of a product’s design and how they could be assessed for usability. This included any digital display interfaces as well as any tangible interfaces of the product’s physicality. In our section, we looked at ovens and any usability issues they might present and chose three issues to later conduct our own usability test on in groups of three. We were also introduced to actual procedures for effective usability testing, like having a moderator and an observer for guiding a test user through tasks to perform and recording any data that could be collected on the user’s interaction with the product.
Experience
To me the most interesting part of this experience was watching footage of a usability test. The video we watched was of medical equipment being tested by trained medical staff. I thought the most engaging part of the experience was listening to the instructions and questions from the moderator. At one point in the video I remember the moderator asking the user very specifically “did you notice anything with the machine?” when an alert came on. I found this particularly helpful for learning how to ask questions about test factors without influencing the user’s experience. In this case, a more direct question would be “did you notice this specific alert?”, but “did you notice anything?” gives more valuable feedback on the alert’s effectiveness because the user could notice it but not realize that it is an alert, which would help the designers of the machine’s display.
Highlights
The highlight for me was planning our own usability test. It was interesting to think of such a common product and try to think of it as a problem and not just an everyday object. Thinking about the interfaces and potential issues surrounding an oven really provided an unexpectedly engaging exercise in thinking from a different perspective. My group decided in the end to test our oven for how easy it was to preheat at a specific temperature, to adjust the level of the baking racks, and to remove a baking tray from the oven (with oven mitts for lowered dexterity).
Future Applications
I can see usability testing as a very widely applicable process. Outside of HCDE, I imagine it would could also provide valuable information to anyone offering any good or service. In a way, services like Lyft and Uber conduct usability testing with every use (rate your experience etc.) and now that I have a slightly more comprehensive grasp of what usability testing is, it’s easier to see how products/services change according to the users’ feedback.