Usability testing

Usability testing provides empirical data about how well the users are able to use your product or service. It is used for identifying usability problems or for finding answers to specific questions about the user experience. Usability testing is an valuable tool throughout the development cycle - benchmarking at the beginning, keeping on the right track during design phases, and validating designs at the end.

In usability tests real users conduct typical tasks with a prototype or an existing product. The usability test is usually videotaped. The test conductor encourages the test users to think aloud and tell what they do and why. The performance is analysed to find the usability defects. Measures, such as time, number and severity of errors, and use of instructions, are recorded. Users are interviewed for in-depth personal feedback.

We recruit test users with mutually agreed user profiles using Etnoteam's database of volunteers or customer's contacts. Tests are carried out in Etnoteam usability laboratory or on the field. Our facilities are located right in the center of the Helsinki. The customers can follow the test sessions in the observation room.

As a result we provide a detailed, illustrated report on identified problems and improvement suggestions. The report may include video clips of users struggling with typical problems.