Rapid UX Test

• Combo

– Rapid prototypes

– Guerilla user test

• Simple, cheap

– Can be done in 1½ day

– Might streatch up to 10 days

Planning?

• Who are the test users?

– In-house

– From ‘the real world’

• Who will participate in the test?

– Test Lead – YOU!

– Observers/’test computer’

– Note Takers

Day 1 - Hour 1: Create small test tasks

• Purpose of test?

– New design

– Known problems

– General evaluation

• Keep them short and simple

– 3-5 may be executed in ½ an hour

Day 1 - Hour 2-4: Make a prototype

• Use your favourite tool

– The better you know your tool, the faster the sketching

– Paper or digital?

• Depends on what should be tested!

• Paper is easiest to get around with, though…

Day 1 - Hour 2-4: Make a prototype

• SKETCH different solutions

– The worse it looks, the better the feed-back

– Make sure the general idea is detectable, though

– Hand drawing themes/stencils are usually available for you favorite tool

Day 1 - Hour 5: Lunch + review of tasks

• Enjoy some time away from your desk

– Get some new energy

• Review and correct

– Spelling mistakes

– Relevance of tasks (will the purpose of the test be achieved)

Day 1 - Hour 6: Review prototype

• May tasks be solved using the sketches?

• Print

• If possible use the Rolf Harris/Jørgen Clevinapproach

– Fold accordions

– Produce post-it dropdowns

– Cut out dialogue boxes

– etc

Day 1 - Hour 7-8: Get test users

• You should probably have contacted them in hour 1 already…

• ½ an hour sometime tomorrow?

• I’ll come to you if that helps…

• 3 C’s

– Call

– Cajole/Caress

– Confirm

Sleep

Day 2 - Hour 1-2: Perform 2-3 tests

• Gather the test team (might just be you)

• Take prototype under arm

• Test with first 2-3 users– ‘test computer’ doesn’t talk (useful instruction for

the developer playing the computer)

– keep the mood light

– Keep to the allotted ½ hour

• Allow time after each test to make notes and ‘re-set’ the prototype

Day 2 - Hour 3-4: Evaluate & Update

• Compare notes from previous 2-3 tests

• Update test tasks as necessary

• Can the prototype be updated with solutions to findings in an hour or so?

• Fix/adjust as much as possible

Day 2 - Hour 5: Lunch + review of changes

• Enjoy some time away from your desk

– Get some new energy

– Take a deep breath

• Review and correct

– Spelling mistakes

– Slips in the sketches

Day 2 - Hour 6-7: Perform 2-3 tests

• Gather the test team (might just be you)

• Take new prototype under arm

• Test with final 2-3 users– ‘test computer’ doesn’t talk (still useful instruction

for the developer playing the computer)

– keep the mood light

– Keep to the allotted ½ hour

• Allow time after each test to make notes and ‘re-set’ the prototype

Day 2 - Hour 8: Describe problems and grade them

• Compare notes

• Identify pain points and causes

• Grade them, e.g.

– Catastrophic: Impossible to finish task

– Serious error: Finished task with assistance

– Annoyance: Finished task but struggled a bit

– Idea: Suggestions for new functionality

Day 2 - Hour 9: Find possible solutions to problems

• Identify quick wins

• Take the rest from the top

– Most serious issues are addressed first

– It’s late, you’re tired

– It fun, though!

• You may have to use hour 10 as well

– And possibly hour 11…

Day 3 - Hour 1-2: Present problems and solutions to the team

• Gather the development team

– Includes Product Manager/Owner

• Present findings verbally

– Use sketches for illustration

– Discuss grading/prioritisation

Day 3 - Hour 1-2: Present problems and solutions to the team

• Present possible solutions

– Allow for developers and other team members to weigh in

– Agree on solutions

Day 3 - Hour 3-4: Write-up change requests/finish sketches

Done!

Until…

• Day 1 - Hour 1: Create small test tasks• Day 1 - Hour 2-4: Make a prototype• Day 1 - Hour 5: Lunch + review of tasks• Day 1 - Hour 6: Review prototype• Day 1 - Hour 7-8: Get testers

• Day 2 - Hour 1-2: Perform 2-3 tests• Day 2 - Hour 3-4: Evaluate & Update prototype• Day 2 - Hour 5: Lunch + review of test• Day 2 - Hour 6-7: Perform 2-3 tests• Day 2 - Hour 8: Describe problems and grade them• Day 2 - Hour 9: Find possible solutions to problems

• Day 3 - Hour 1-2: Present problems and solutions to the team• Day 3 - Hour 3-4: Write-up change requests/finish sketches