Usability testing
Usability testing is evaluating a product or service by testing it with representative users.
What is it?
The primary goal during testing is to identify any usability problems with a product or service.
Typically during a test, participants will try to complete common tasks while observers watch, listen and takes notes.
When to use
Conduct usability testing:
- early - before any development is undertaken
- regularly - at key stages as you product or service evolves
Read our case study of using usability testing: IS Helpline UX collaboration
How to
Rocket Surgery Made Easy
Our go-to source for usability testing is Steve Krug’s Rocket Surgery Made Easy. The book takes you through:
- when and what you should test
- who to test and how to recruit
- picking tasks to test and writing scenarios for them
- conducting the tests
It’s a relatively short book and doesn’t take more than a few hours to read.
Rocket Surgery Made Easy book information on Steve Krug’s website
Steve Krug’s website also offers a series of helpful downloads, including a test script and recording consent form.
Usability testing downloads on Steve Krug’s website
Training
UX Service training
Get training in usability testing as part of our UX training package.
Online training
If you’re looking for online training, University of Edinburgh staff (non-visiting) can access Chris Nodder’s Usability testing training on Lynda.com.
UX foundations: Usability testing training on Lynda.com
Further reading
Using Media Hopper to conduct usability testing