Usability Testing

Definición Rápida

A usability test is a fundamental UX research technique where real users are observed using a product (or a prototype) to identify usability problems, collect qualitative and quantitative data, and determine the participant’s overall satisfaction with the product.

What Is Usability Testing?

Imagine you have designed a new can opener. You think it is revolutionary. Instead of just admiring it, you give it to 5 different people and ask them to open a can while you observe in silence. You see that three of them do not understand how to hold it, one cuts their finger, and the fifth takes two minutes to open the can. You are not judging whether the people are “clumsy”; you are evaluating whether your can opener is easy and safe to use.

That is a usability test. It is the act of watching people use your product to discover where they stumble and get frustrated. It is the most direct way to see if your design really works in the real world.

Why Is It Important?

• It reveals real problems: It shows the difference between how you think users use your product and how they actually use it.
• It saves a fortune: Fixing a usability problem detected in a [[Prototypes|prototype]] is exponentially cheaper than fixing it when the product has already been coded and launched.
• It ends opinion-based debates: It is the best tool for settling internal disputes. Instead of arguing about which design is “better,” you can say “we tested both, and option A had an 80% higher success rate.”
• It generates empathy: Seeing a real user struggle with your design is a humbling experience that creates deep empathy across the entire team.

The Usability Testing Process

1. Plan the test: Define your objectives, the tasks users will perform, and the participant profile you need.
2. Recruit participants: Find 5-8 users who represent your [[Personas]].
3. Prepare the script and prototype: Write a script to guide the session and make sure your prototype works.
4. Moderate the session:
   • Welcome: Make the participant feel comfortable. Remind them that “we are testing the design, not you.”
   • Tasks: Ask them to perform the tasks one by one, encouraging them to “think aloud” (Think-Aloud protocol).
   • Observe and be quiet: Your job is to listen and take notes. Do not help the user if they get stuck. Note where they hesitate, where they make mistakes, and what comments they make.
5. Analyze and share findings: After the sessions, bring the team together to identify the 3-5 most important usability problems and prioritize their resolution.

Mentor Tips

• You only need 5 users: According to the Nielsen Norman Group, with 5 users you can discover about 85% of usability problems. You do not need large samples to get valuable insights.
• The “think aloud” protocol is pure gold: Encouraging users to verbalize their thoughts as they interact with your design gives you direct access to their mental model.
• Do not ask leading questions: Never ask “It was easy, right?”. Instead, ask “How was that experience for you?”
• Invite your team to observe: The most powerful way for a developer or a Product Manager to understand a usability problem is to see it with their own eyes. Invite them as silent observers to the sessions.

Resources and Tools

• Books:
  • Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug: The definitive, practical, and fun guide for getting started with usability testing on your own.
• Tools for remote testing:
  • Unmoderated: [[Maze]], [[Useberry]], UserTesting.com
  • Moderated: Simply sharing your screen on Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, using a tool like Lookback.