Ergonomics test ( usability testing ) is a study performed to determine if an artificial object (such as a web page , user interface or device) is suitable for its intended use. Thus, an ergonomic check measures the ergonomics of an object or system. Ergonomic testing focuses on a specific object or a small set of objects, while studies of human-computer interactions as a whole formulate universal principles.
Ergonomics check is a method of evaluating the convenience of a product in use, based on attracting users as testers, testers and summing up the conclusions received from them.
Content
Process
When testing many products, the user is offered in "laboratory" conditions to solve the main tasks for which this product was developed, and asked to express their comments during the execution of these tests.
The testing process is recorded in the protocol (log) and / or on the audio and video devices - for the purpose of subsequent more detailed analysis.
If an ergonomic check reveals any difficulties (for example, difficulties in understanding instructions, performing actions or interpreting system responses), then developers should finalize the product and repeat testing.
Observing how people interact with a product often allows you to find more optimal solutions for it. If a moderator is used during testing, then his task is to keep the respondent focused on tasks (but at the same time not to “help” him to solve these problems).
The main difficulty after carrying out the ergonomics verification procedure is often the large volumes and randomness of the data obtained. Therefore, for subsequent analysis, it is important to fix:
- Speech by moderator and respondent ;
- Facial expression of the respondent (filmed on video camera);
- Computer screen image of the respondent;
- Various events occurring on the computer related to user actions:
- Moving the cursor and clicking on the mouse buttons;
- Using keyboard;
- Transitions between screens (browser or other program).
All these data streams must be synchronized by time codes, so that during analysis they could be correlated.
Along with the moderator, observers often participate in testing. As problems are discovered, they take notes on the testing progress so that later they can be synchronized with the main record. As a result, each significant fragment of the test recording is commented on in the observer's notes. Ideally, the facilitator (that is, the moderator) represents the developer, the observers represent the customer (such as the publisher, distributor), and the testers represent the end user (such as the buyer).
In addition to the above, there is another approach to checking ergonomics: to solve the problem proposed to the user, an “ideal” scenario for solving this problem is developed. As a rule, this is the scenario that the developer was guided by. When the task is performed by users, their deviations from the planned scenario are recorded for subsequent analysis. After several iterations of refinement of the program and subsequent testing, you can get an interface satisfactory from the point of view of the user.
Often, usability testing involves not users, but usability experts who conduct usability testing. [one]
See also
- Usability
- A / B testing
- Automated Testing
- Ergonomics
- Functionomics
- Human operator
Notes
- ↑ How to conduct usability testing yourself? | SEOKomanda (Russian) , Internet Advertising Studio SEOcommand - website optimization and promotion, advertising campaigns on the Internet. (September 29, 2017). Date of treatment August 15, 2018.
Literature
- Jacob Nielsen , Hoa Laranger. Web Design: Website Usability = Prioritizing Web Usability. - M .: "Williams" , 2007. - S. 368. - ISBN 0-321-35031-6 .