How to Do Usability Testing?
What is usability testing?
It is a testing method that is performed to know how user-friendly a software application is. A group of users are included to test the software application and find any possible defects or bugs. Based on the user feedback, further improvements to the software application are done by the team.
Following are the six steps that are required to perform usability testing:
1. Develop a strategy: A well-defined strategy goes a long way in making a project work successfully. For conducting usability testing, there should be clear and concise goals that need to be prepared and then worked upon.
2. The features and functionalities that need to be tested: Usability testing is performed in the early stages of software development. The aim is to identify specific challenges that might prove to be a real hassle in the later stages of development.
A prototype can be built to check the features and functionalities. The prototype might have limited functionality, but, the key is to avoid future pitfalls in the software development process.
3. The significance of picking up the right users: Understand the target audience and then select the users. Users must be able to relate with the product which can solve certain issues that are attuned with the user’s interest.
4. Perform usability testing: In this step, the actual testing takes place. The user experience is studied meticulously. The pros and cons that are provided by the users about the product are carefully recorded.
5. The relevance of documentation: Documentation is the single most productive activity that will give a crystal-clear idea as to how the testing has fared. All the findings related to the usability tests should be documented systematically.
6. Analyse the results: The final step is to analyse the test results based on the findings that have been documented. The key members such as the designers, product managers, testers and developers must have a strategic meet and thoroughly understand what was the outcome of the test and how it can be further improved.