19 November 2012
A usual practice for a good software testing company is conducting usability testing involving end-users. One of the methods to improve software testing process is assisting users by giving them gradual hints or prompts along the way.
Why Is This Technique Used?
- In order to conduct usability testing of a software at an early stage of its development. If the usual testing session presupposes the usage of certain documentation or wizards, but none have yet been developed.
- In order to see how many support materials the product will need and how quickly users will master the offered software.
- In order to conduct a small user interface testing: too see how self-evident the interface is.
The Benefits of the Offered Technique:
- You can get direct feedback from the user as for the quality of the offered interface and the needed supporting materials.
- The testers are able to trace usability problems.
5 Tips on How to Assist User-Participants during Usability Testing:
- At first let the participant try to perform the offered testing tasks involving no assistance. When he/she faces a certain problem, you should give verbal explanations.
- The participant should receive ground explanations as to what the testing session looks like, what it involves and what you plan to see as a result of it.
- The developers or other specialist responsible for design and/or documentation can be offered to view the process of usability testing in order to better understand what users want.
- Do not use this technique during all the process of software testing. You only need it to check how much assistance should a user get together with the product. Use other methods for other usability purposes.
- Keep track of all the user actions and reactions, this is the real evidence on how a user will behave with your software in a normal life.