[Sigia-l] Usability Testing comments from Giga

[Lord, Ralph]

> "Thomas Vander Wal" wrote:
> 
> > Hence, we test.
> > We are professionals.

> > Ziya responded:
> I have nothing to add to this formulation of equating 
> professionalism with testing, other than challenging you to 
> prove that you test every decision you make on every project 
> you take....

I'd also question equating (or implying or assuming) that "testing" always
means sit-em-in-the-glass-room type of testing.  Most professionals and
reasonably competent humans in general do "test" every decision they make:
most of that testing is done in our head against our knowledge, experience,
training, etc.  I agree with Listera and Chris Fahey and others that if you
can't advise, proclaim, decide anything without always needing to test in
the lab then you're not really bringing much value to the situation.
Perhaps the primary reason to hire an expert/professional is to get the
benefit of their expertise so you don't have to move ahead by trial and
error (testing).

Sometimes it seems the IA/UCD/HCI community needs to have a good sitdown
with Stuart Smalley and come away saying. "I'm going to settle on a design
without any testing because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone
it, people like my designs." ;-)