changing the guardian through “guerilla usability testing”

“Changing The Guardian through guerilla usability testing"

Martin BelamUPA Conference - Atlanta 2011

Lead User Experience & Information Architect,The Guardian@currybet

The Guardian.

50m monthly users, including 15m+ in the US

I joined The Guardian full-time in 2009

This is best description I’ve ever seen of what I do

News organisations like secrets

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisa_yarost/403783768/

What I am doing isn’t science

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naotakem/120643390/

At a Graduate Recruitment Fair we tested students

The quality of footage doesn’t matter

We invite users into our o!ce to test beta builds

It is a quick way of discovering problems with an app

We were transforming our digital “culture” coverage

Let your location be your “screener”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/3315381249/

I pounce on people in public to test our services

What about when it all goes wrong?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49392213@N00/5094020075/

1 Get the right software

I use Silverback on my Mac,and a Flip camcorder for“vox-pops”.

2 Clear computer clutter

Use a blank desktop and switch o" any software likely to generate “alerts”.

3 Use a new browser profile

You don’t want cookies orautomatic search or URL completion a"ecting the test.

4 Take someone else with you

You’ll have lots to carry, anda mix of genders may make it easier to approach people.

5 Prepare your opening lines

You have to repeatedly approach strangers.Be sure of what you’ll say.

6 Be ready to improvise

If you stumble across auser of any of your services,be prepared to test that too.

7 Make clip reels, not epics

I try to make a “maximal” cutof everything useful, thenedit it into themed clip reels.

8 Know the limits of consent

There is a reason I haven’tshown any clips in thispresentation.

9 This is not science

This is quick, dirty & cheap.Make sure that the restof the business knows that.

0 Be polite. To everyone.

Not just to users, but if youare hanging around a café,ask first and buy co"ee.

1

More testing. More open. Better products.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49392213@N00/5094020075/

“Changing The Guardian through guerilla usability testing"

Martin BelamLead User Experience & Information Architect,The Guardian

@currybetwww.currybet.netmartin.belam@guardian.co.uk

You can follow me on Twitter or on my blog