Usability Test Planning

State the purpose of the usability test:

• observe and evaluate the user experience as it relates to navigation, information architecture, design, layout, structure, and information presentation across the Web site by examining users' ability to navigate the Web site and to complete key tasks
• establish a baseline from which to measure the efficacy of future redesign prototypes
• gain further understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the current site, and identify ways to improve the site design

Choose Testing Location and Facility Set-up

Determine if you're testing in-house, at the user's site or at a third party location. Will you be recording audio and video? Will you be setting up a screening room for observers?

Usability Test Participants

Establish criteria for selecting test participants:

Usability test participants are actual users that represent a segment of the target users of the Web site. Aim for 3 - 5 users from each of your primary user groups.
+ sample test participant criteria

Participant Consent Form

A simple participant consent form is recommended for two reasons, especially if you plan to video or audio tape the testing sessions. The form authorizes you to do so and acknowledges that you can use the information from the test as needed. The form also acknowledges that the test participant has received compensation for their time.
+ sample consent form (doc)

Participant Screener Questions

Write a screener for phone interviews with potential test participants.
+ sample screener (doc)

Usability Test Tasks

The tasks used for baseline usability testing should reflect the most important, frequent, or difficult tasks on the Web site. They can also be related to aspects of the site that you want to improve in the next redesign.
+ sample task questions

Pre- and Post-Test Questionnaires

Pre-test interviews ask for general information regarding the test participant's interest in topic. How often do they look at this type of content and for how long?
+ sample pre-test interview questions

Post-test interviews is useful for getting feedback on the test participant's experience with the web site. What is their general impression of the web site, did they find it useful, would they return, etc.
+ sample post-test interview questions

Post-Test Survey

The post-test survey is distributed to each participant to fill out after the testing and interviews. The survey allows the test participant to rank their impression on specific attributes of the web site.
+ sample post-test survey