Individual User Testing
User testing is also frequently referred to as usability testing. The purpose of usability testing is simple; to gather information about how individual users locate, view, and work with information. At High Monkey we offer individual user testing for both websites and software products. Here's how the process works...
Creating a Baseline
A High Monkey usability consultant works with our client first to identify the challenges visitors to their website or users of their software have reported. Next we work with our client to identify types of information that users should be able to locate and view. We typically conduct individual user testing on the existing website or software product to determine a baseline of user behavior. These sessions are recorded to show the actual software screen with a picture-in-picture of the user (including facial expressions, vocal commentary, and occasional outbursts of frustration). Once this baseline is established, High Monkey has enough data to recommend design changes to improve the user interface. These changes often include page layouts, use of colors and fonts, design themes, graphical elements, and navigation elements such as buttons, text, and drop-down menus. Next, we often recommend a paper-based usability test for the new design concepts and layouts using printed screen mockups. Typical users are asked to point to a link or information on the page as if they were clicking with their mouse. The next level of testing typically includes on-screen mockups for computer based testing. A full series of individual user testing provides a baseline of user behavior and validation of any planned design improvements.
Finding an Audience
Each session of individual user testing typically involves up to ten typical users of our client's website or software product. Audiences may be determined based on a number of factors. For example, when High Monkey conducts individual user testing for a college we identify audience members who are parents, alumni, current on campus students, current virtual students, prospective students, displaced workers, community members, veterans, elected officials, guidance counselors, and other educators. Each of these audience groups has different needs for information. Many of these audience groups behave differently in the way they seek information. Individual members of each audience group may have a greater or lesser comfort level using a website to find information. With so many different audiences being served by a single college website, usability testing requires significant planning and careful crafting of questions and scenarios.
The Stand-Alone Testing Option
High Monkey usually conducts individual user testing as part of a comprehensive website or software redesign project. We have also been engaged by several clients to conduct individual user testing as a stand-alone process. In both situations, our clients receive a written summary report of our findings and our usability recommendations. Raw proctor notes and observations are also included. Because each individual user test is captured on digital video, we also provide both unedited footage of each session and a highlight DVD of significant events that occurred during the testing process.
Please visit our client portfolio area to learn more about High Monkey's usability expertise.