changing the guardian through “guerilla usability testing”
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“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?
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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
You can follow me on Twitter or on my blog