Team Members: Anjali, Dorien, Ellington, Ji Hong, Karson
THE INSTRUCTIONS
Hi, [USER’S NAME]. My name is [YOUR NAME/TEAM MEMBERS], and I’m going to be walking you through our usability test today.
Before we begin, I’m going to read some information for you to make sure that I cover everything. We brought you here today because we’re asking people to try using a mobile application we’re working on so we can gather feedback on what works and what needs improvements. The session should take about [INSERT TIME].
We want to start off by saying that we’re testing the app, not you. You can’t do anything wrong here and you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. As you use the app, please, as much as possible, try to think out loud: to say what you’re looking at, what you’re trying to do, and what you’re thinking. This will help us visualize the user experience as they navigate through the app.
Please don’t worry that you’re going to hurt our feelings. We’re doing this to improve it, so we need to hear your honest reactions. If you have any questions as we go along, just ask them. I may not be able to answer them right away, since we’re interested in how people do when they don’t have someone sitting next to them to help. But if you still have any questions when we’re done I’ll try to answer them then. And if you need to take a break at any point, just let me know.
With your permission, we’re going to record what happens [SCREEN OR CONVO]. The recording will only be used to help us figure out how to improve the app, and it won’t be seen by anyone except the people working on this project.
I’m going to ask you to sign a simple permission form for us to record you, and the recording will only be seen by the people working on the project.
Give them a recording permission form and a pen
While they sign it, START RECORDING [SCREEN/ CONVO]
Do you have any questions so far?
THE QUESTIONS
Okay great. Before we continue, I just have a couple of questions for you. The first question is about your occupation: what do you do for work? If not work, what consumes your day?
What type of phone do you have? Do you own any other electronic devices that you use often?
What do you find yourself doing most while on your phone?
Do you specifically have any favorite apps that you like to use?
THE FIRST SCREEN TOUR
Cool. We’ll move on to the app now.
Start by opening the app labeled PolitiCost.
What do you think the app does from the first screen? What it the first action you’ll take when looking at this screen? Feel free to scroll around, but don’t interact with any of the buttons yet.
Think out loud as you scan across the first page and explore what the application has to offer.
** Wait for a few minutes until the participant makes some indication of being done **
That should conclude this portion.
THE TASKS
Thank you! Now we’re going to try out some specific tasks. I will read each task out loud. I am going to ask that you avoid clicking the help button when trying to complete the tasks so we can truly test how accessible the app is. Please talk us through your thought process as you go through each task.
Read the first task out loud.
Let the user attempt each task until task is completed or exploration is not providing any insights into design improvements.
Repeat for each task.
Scenario 1: Start the focus timer
Scenario 2: Attempt to leave the focus session before time is up and return back from the warning screen to the timer session.
Session 3: Leave the focus session before time is up.
PROBING
Excellent work! Before we wrap up, I’d like to ask you a few more questions about your experience using PolitiCost. First let me check if my team has any additional questions they want to ask you.
** LEAVE ROOM & COME BACK **
- What did you like about the app? What didn’t you like?
- Were there any features that you found difficult to use or confusing?
- Is there anything that you think could be improved or added to make the app better?
Please feel free to provide any additional feedback or comments that you think may be helpful. Remember, your input is valuable to us!
WRAPPING UP
Great job! You’ve done an amazing job evaluating the usability of PolitiCost. Thank you so much for your time and effort.
Your feedback and insights will be incredibly valuable to us as we continue to improve the app.
Do you have any questions or final thoughts you’d like to share with me before we conclude our session?
Usability test script – Mobile apps (modified by Ji Hong Ni)
Adapted from Rocket Surgery Made Easy
© 2013 Steve Krug
