Usability Test Mail Merge Function in Microsoft Word

Purpose and Goals

• Test the usability of Mail Merge in Microsoft Word.

• Come up with problems that users might face.

• Develop solutions to the problems.

• Make Mail Merge more usable

Problem Statement

• We chose to test the mail merge function in Microsoft Word because our group did not think that it was usable for business students.

Focus

• Business Students.

• Compatible with Microsoft Word.

• Have experience with Microsoft Excel.

• Have not taken BMA 272.

• Never used Mail Merge.

Preparation

• Gathered test materials.

• Pilot test.

• Selected participants.

• Found a room and computer to test on.

Testing

• Screened each individual prior to testing.

• Had their consent to film.

• Tested participants.

• Debriefed participants.

• Encoded their process.

Debriefing

• Questions about how they felt during the testing.

• Some errors they experienced.

• Simple tasks they found.

• Recommendations they would have to improve the usability of the function.

Videos

Test Methodology MatrixStep 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Lauren X X X X X XErica X X X X X XZach X X X X X XNick X X X X X XCharles X X X X X XJim X X X X X X

X PassX Fail

Recommendations

• More clear and concise directions within the mail merge wizard.

• More universal terminology within the wizard.

• Tutorial to visualize the process step by step.

QUESTIONS????