start user research today: 3 simple and effective methods
DESCRIPTION
Start User Research Today was presented at WebExpo 2014, central Europe’s largest conference for designers, developers and business. The talk and discussion was aimed at people who have not done research but would like to start. It covers 3 methods that are most relevant to beginners: 1. Getting feedback by checklist 2. Getting feedback from people (User testing, Usability testing) 3. Observing and interviewing The checklist and script templates will be published at www.rexperienced.comTRANSCRIPT
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Start User Research Today
ming AT rexperienced.com@rexperiencedCom
3 Simple and Effective Methods
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Understand
Get feedback
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
1.Feedback by checklist
2.Feedback from people
3.Observing and interviewing
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Checklists = Expert knowledge
Image: Greg Lam Pak Ng, Flickr
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
1. Feedback by checklist
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Results
General issues 77%
Homepage 56%
Navigation 83%
Accessibility (inc. mobile) 64%
Layout 78%
Content 65%
Forms 88%
Search 77%
Help and Errors 81%
Overall 74%
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
You will need
Checklist
User interface to test
Reviewer
Time – 1-2 hours per reviewer
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
UX
Image: With Associates, Flickr
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Benchmark competitors
Score over time
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
• Fast• Expert knowledge• Numbers
• Numbers• No live users
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
2. Feedback from people
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.comImage: m01229, Flickr
2. Feedback from peopleCase: Video sharing
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Script
• Introduction
• Warm-up questions
• User testing
• Closing questions
• Logical sequence – warm-up, avoiding bias
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
P Tech level
Job/area Auto start video ... Functionality 1-5 (worst-best)
1 2 Marketing Y ... 4.52 2 First level support N ... 3.53 1 HR assistant N ... 44 3 Line manager N ... 4.55 2 Financial controller Y with easy pause ... 3
Results
• User Interface is understood • Primary tasks can be completed• Improve terminology
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
You will need
• Something to test
• People to test it + reward
• Script
• Location
• Moderator
• Time – 0.5 days - 1 week for 5 participants
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Going to the next level
• Iterate
• Usability lab
• Potential participants list
• Multiple locations
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
• People - feedback• Simulated situations
• People - logistics• Simulated situations
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
3. Observing and interviewing
Needs
Context
Priorities
Focus development efforts
Behavior
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
3. Observing and interviewingCase: improve reporting
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Questions and answers
Open Closed
Generalisations Concrete events
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.comImage: Hans Splinter, Flickr
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.comCoffee image: waferboard, Flickr
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
You will need
• Focus area
• People to show and tell + reward
• Script
• On-site
• Moderator
• Note taker
• Audio recorder, Camera, Video (Optional)
• Time: 3 days - 2 weeks
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
• Real life• First-hand information• Build user trust
• People – logistics• Interviewing skills
required
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Understand
Get feedback
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
General tips
• Start small
• Low-hanging fruit
• Get feedback before releasing
• Early and often
• Involve team and stakeholders
© Ming Lee 2014, rexperienced.com
Thank you. Checklist and script templates at rexperienced.com (soon).
Ming Lee
ming AT rexperienced.com
www.rexperienced.comwww.linkedin.com/in/minglee