Spring 2008 - Usability Test

Testing of user interfaces to identify usability problems is a key part of human-computer interaction. Working in groups of 2-3 students,you will do a usability testing project. This project will involve several components:

• Identification of Problem: You will identify a tool or interface to be tested, along with a general set of tasks that you will ask users to perform. This information will be presented in a short project proposal (<1 page), due on March 4.
• Test Details On March 25, you will submit a description of the details of the test, including the following components:
• A description of the typical users of the interface: Who are they? Why are they using the system? What are their goals?
• A description of the interface to be evaluated: including typical tasks that users might want to complete.
• Specific Tasks/Usability Script: Each participant in your study will complete a specific set of tasks, following a script. This script will describe what the person is to do, and in what order.
• Metrics for Measuring Ease of Use: Which metrics will be used to determine how successful users with in completing the tasks? Task performance, time performance, user satisfaction? How will these be measured?
• Running the Test: Your classmates will be the participants in your usability test. During class times on April 8 and 15, you will have your peers perform the tasks, using a "think-aloud" strategy. You will observe and record their interactions, noting any difficulties, comments, or other interesting feedback from the users.
• Presentation: All teams will give a presentation describing their results, in class on May 20. The presentation should contain the following infomration:
• The test details -as given above
• Usability problems noted
• Priorities - for fixing those problems
• Suggested redesigns
• Evaluation: Each student will write a one-page evaluation of their partners, including a detailed description of the contributions of each team member to the project. This will be due on May 20.

Interfaces that you might choose to test include:

• The ribbon menus on the new MS Office Suite
• Financial Software like Quicken or GnuCash
• Photo Manipulation software like Photoshop or the Gimp.
• A non-trivial website, such as an online store.

Your choice of tool for evaluation is subject to my approval.

If you are unable to form teams on your own, I will impose teams on you!

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