Quick tips for a User testing

Few years ago, I was working in a startup where I was the solo User Researcher and had to take my annual vacation sometime during this experience. So, I found myself in a situation where I had to go to my vacation but I also was worried and trying in a solution to help my Product Designer colleagues.
The desperation
Since we were in a moment where the research demands were more directional and the Designers were performing a few Usability tests already, I thought in a quick solution for them and for me especially because I only had 2 days remaining until my license. Most of their doubts when doing Usability tests were about logistics and behavior as a moderator. So I thought:
"How can I make a quick and 'memorable for 15 days' material with some tips about User testing that I know they will have to do?"
The quick (and improvised) solution
So, since everyone in the team were a little goofy (just as I am) I thought in create something informal and internal just for our team to use that I had a suspicious that maybe could work. And since I didn't have much time either, I created a super quick presentation with some tips along with super known memes in Brazil that time.
I found a way to associate every User testing tip to memes in order to make them remember it at least for 15 days, which was the duration of my annual leave. I presented this to all the Product Designers and Owners in our squads at the time which would need to do User testing for the next days.
Checklist before the test begin
Even that you arranged everything for the test, it's important to do a checklist in order to avoid or anticipate any unforeseen problem hours before the test begin. As follows there are a few important things to check:
- Pilot testing: Check if the adjustments from the Pilot testing were done in the support material (e.g script, prototype, cards)
- Recruiting and participants selected: Check the profile of selected participants to be sure they are eligible to participate on the test. To more information about that you can check my article about recruiting.
- Room reservation and material: Check if the room or lab are reserved as well as the material that you might use for the test (e.g consent form, script, cards)
- Set up of devices and softwares: Check if the prototypes are finished, the devices are working and if the softwares are installed and able to be used.
- Agenda: Check and share the agenda with the team and stakeholders
Quick tips to run a test
- Before start, be ready and check if everything is working
- Create a relaxed atmosphere, but not too much otherwise they can forgot to follow the instructions
- Presentation it's important, but be careful to not give everything away and compromise the test
- React to users' comments about their lives, but don't get into details (unless it's relevant for the test) otherwise you will spent valuable test time
- Keep an eye on time without users noticing to not provide the sensation that they are under approval
- Poker face is crucial, but there is no need to be a robot
- If the answer doesn't satisfy you, explore without bias until answer your hypothesis
- Answer questions about the test, but let them know when you can't answer to not bias the test
- At the end, explain how the product works and clarify any doubts if there is any time in order to get them interested about our product
Is it worked?
After a few laughs, it was time to answer the questions about the quick tips I presented. I noticed how my message was delivered in a quick and effective way and I was anxious to know the impact when I come back to work.
After 15 days of vacation, I was back to work and receive feedback from 3 of 5 Product Designers saying how the presentation helped them to conduct the User testing while I was out. I was surprise to see that something so improvised has worked out just fine to the team.
There are several different ways to share knowledge and experience about User testing with the team and to choose between them you have to consider the team culture, time available, the purpose and communication.
Thanks and hope to help you with the next posts. :)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tathianema
