Usability+and+User+Testing

= Usability and User Testing = == Usability refers to how well users can learn and use a product to achieve their goals and how satisfied they are with that process. Usability and user testing seeks to eliminate any problems and any frustrations users may feel (like the picture on the right).

What Does Usability Measure
Usability measures the quality of a user's experience when interacting with a product or system-whether a website, a software application, mobile technology, or any user-operated device.

It is important to realize that usability is not a single, one-dimensional property of a user interface. Usability is a combination of factors including:
 * Ease of learning
 * Efficiency of use
 * Memorability
 * Error frequency and severity
 * Subjective satisfaction

**User-Centered Design**
User-centered design (UCD) is an approach for employing usability. It is a structured product development methodology that involves users throughout all stages of website development in order to create a Web site that meets users' needs. This approach considers an organization's business objectives and the user's needs, limitations, and preferences.

Importance of User-Centered Design
In order for your Web site to be successful, users must visit the site to find information or accomplish tasks. No matter what objectives you have set for your Web site, it must carefully balance the needs of users and the needs of your organization. If users don't find your Web site helpful, they will not use it. From the business side, you can lower operating and redevelopment costs by developing a product, such as a Web site, correctly the first time around.

The Process
To create a user-centered Web site you must think about the needs of your users throughout each step in the development of your site, including:
 * planning your site
 * collecting data from users
 * developing prototypes
 * writing content
 * conducting usability testing with users

Usability Methods
There are multiple methods that fit into each of the steps of the user-centered design process. Theses methods can help improve the usability and usefulness of your site. The following table organizes usability methods according to where they take place in the user-centered design process.
 * || **Analyze** || **Design** || **Test** ||
 * [|Card Sorting] || [[image:checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Contextual Interviews] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||  ||   ||
 * [|Focus Groups] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||  ||
 * [|Heuristic Evaluation] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||  || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Individual Interviews] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Parallel Design] ||  || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||   ||
 * [|Personas] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||  ||   ||
 * [|Prototyping] ||  || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Surveys (Online)] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Task Analysis] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||  ||   ||
 * [|Usability Testing] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif align="left"]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||
 * [|Use Cases] ||  || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||   ||
 * [|Writing for the Web] ||  || [[image:techcommresources/checkb.gif]] ||   ||

//(Source: Usability.gov)//