Usability test with real users.

This is the current usability test process that I have implemented through these years of my experience

Approach

This type of test is for the UX designer to go out and observe a real user of the application do their jobs on their own fields of work.

Objective

The objective is to passively observe the users of our application, and according to the actions they perform, we can determine usable characteristics of the interface to improve our product in the future. Thanks to the contribution of our customers and users, we will obtain a greater spectrum of empathy with real users and thus, we can offer a product that is friendly and accessible to all profiles. The main idea is to obtain quantitative and qualitative data.

Preparation

1. Ask and know in advance what type of activity the user will perform.
2. Find out what customer it is.
3. Prepare the tool with which the notes will be taken, you can take notes in writing on paper, avoid using devices, this could be a distraction in the relationship with the user .
4. It should be noted that the observations with these users are on the streer, it is recommended take clear and understandable notes.
🚨Note: please avoid talk to the user, if you are going to ask them something make sure that the only question you do is: "Please describe to me what you are doing now". Do not touch their device, do not interrupt them in their work, you are only a passive observer. If you are a distraction for them, maybe the user has to take extra hours to finish the day work, be respectful. And remember always say "Thank you 🙂".

Meeting

A short presentation with the user. Present your self and your main work of the test. Make sure to be clear with the user and tell them that this is not an evaluation and is not a good or wrong answer. You are there only to observe.

Tools

Take with you a pen and paper and write down all the information you need that is explained here. If you need it you can print the templates and completed them in the observation.

Observation

During the test, the UX designer must observe the following points:

User & device

The main idea is to point to all the data necessary to create a Persona profile and the characteristics of the device used for the task as well as the rituals of use.

Context: Empathy map

The empathy map is a list of contextual notes that users experience while using the application. This analysis helps us to understand their day-to-day life more globally in order to empathize with them. We must observe everything and little detail in the field and in the environment of the user.

User journey

We will write down all the stages and action points in the route that the user takes when performing the task. Here we can detect points of improvement of the application navigation as other external factors to have a better knowledge of the users and their tasks.

Pain points

We will make a brief detail of each critical point found when observing the user using the app. This detail must contain the necessary information so that any member of the team can understand the problem and provide a solution.

Final summary

Finally, a summary should be done with the KPIs obtained from the test. Here we will point, improvement points and the level of complexity in development in order to evaluate future improvements and implementation points. And, any other quantitative data that we can use in the future.