Usability Testing by Nathália Moura on August 08, 2019

Summary

Usability testing is one of the most common techniques for evaluating how a product performs from a human centered perspective. By observing real users attempting a task you can gain insights to problem areas of your product and gather user feedback. If a product is considered difficult to use, it creates obstacles for users trying to complete their goals and can have a negative impact on the business and on the overall user experience.

A key aspect of this technique is that it focuses on the user's actions, and for that reason, helps reduce biases and assumptions and also check if the design solves the user's real problems while fulfilling the business goals.

Takeaway

There are different ways to apply usability tests and also different moments when you can run it during a project life cycle. Some benefits are:

• Determine what success looks like when the project is finished;
• Reduce the risk of building the wrong thing;
• Ensure the final product meets user needs and serves business goals;
• Find improvement areas that can be worked on next;
• Gain insights by observing users and collecting feedback.

Read More

• Usability testing: what is it and how to do it?

• What is usability testing?

• Usability testing: everything you need to know to get started