Test sessions are performed on individual test persons, i. e. selected test persons use the application (website, online shop, etc.) both freely and with specified tasks (such as search task, execution of an order, contact someone, registration for the newsletter, etc.). During task solving, the test persons are observed by an experienced usability expert. Spontaneous comments (e.g. about usage problems), ratings and thought reproductions (so-called protocols of loud thinking) are recorded.
Device with application / interface, optional usability testing tool
In advance, relevant questions and the tasks for the test user are defined. Does the product / system behave as expected and is it intuitive to use? Is the information processed in a user-friendly way? Does the use of it make fun? Further potential questions that can or should be clarified can be found via the links.
The classic, scenario-based laboratory usability test takes a qualitative approach and identifies the entirety of experience in using an interactive application. Belongs to the techniques of empirical software evaluation, in contrast to analytical methods such as cognitive walkthrough. There are also simpler, meaningful and less extensive methods.
