[Sigia-l] User Test Cost - Does this sound reasonable?

[Bill Killam]

I wouldn't normally discuss pricing in an open forum, but this situation
seems worth breaking protocol to me.  Starting with the cost data, here's
some reference data though from a different area (DC):

. Facilities get higher as you go into DC, but I can get a facility for
between $1,000 and $1,200 per day.  That includes a receptionist, host, plus
coffee and light snacks for the participants and observers 
. We have all of our own equipment so our clients don't get charged for it
(usually), but $500/day is pretty standard for our competitors. Video tape
or DVD comes with the $500 but might be a nominal additional fee for others
. Recruiting depends on the nature of the people, but most tests run
$90-$100 per participant. Tougher recruits (doctors, IT specialists, etc)
can be up to $200 per participant
. Stipends are usually between $75 and $100 - again, tougher recruits can be
much higher

So, ODC costs for a project that included 2 days of in lab testing (which 10
participants usually wouldn't warrant), assuming you are not looking for
anyone too outrageous and had to pay for the equipment separately, would be
about $5k.

You said they are doing the analysis "based on videotapes of sessions." Does
that mean they won't be present for the tests?  I have never heard of anyone
renting out their facility but doing the analysis based on video tapes of
the session.  Nor does it seem to me to make sense to me that you would
design the study and facilitate the test but have someone else do the
analysis.  The facilitator's role in testing is critical unless this is
performance based test.  Are you doing your own analysis as well?  Are they
offering to throw in their own observations as long as they are there? This
might make sense, though the value of a $2k report depends on what is meant
by a "summary report".

In any case, you are taking about someone offering to review 10 hours of
videotapes, perform data reduction and analysis, develop recommendations,
and write a report for $2k.  Even if they were present for the testing
itself and not planning to review the tapes, that's still 10 hours of
someone's time.  Add the rest of the hours and this has got to be one of the
lowest paid consultants I've ever heard of.  Just how bad IS the economy out
there?  Maybe if they are just giving you their notes from watching the
testing, then the $2k would be to make it look nice.

Bill
-------------------------------------
Bill, MA CHFP
President, User-Centered Design, Inc.
20548 Deerwatch Place
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 729-0998
bkillam at user-centereddesign.com
www.user-centereddesign.com

-----Original Message-----
From: sigia-l-admin at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-admin at asis.org] On Behalf Of
Knyal, Jarrett
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 10:31 AM
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: [Sigia-l] User Test Cost - Does this sound reasonable?


Hi.  i just received a quote from a vendor to help us with a user test of
our website.  As I have never done a user test using outside resources, I'd
like to ping the cost vs. services we are to receive to see if those with
more experience than I think the costs are reasonable for what we're
getting.

What we're getting:
- recruiting of 10 users
- two days of a room at their facility, equipment supplied including
videotaping
- summary report based on videotapes of sessions

We are coming up with the test plans and will moderate the sessions.

Their charge for this is 7K.  Does this sound reasonable?

Jarrett Knyal
Web User Experience Manager
20555 Victor Parkway
Livonia, MI 48152
(734) 805-8229
cell - (734) 945-2973
www.quickenloans.com
jarrettknyal at quickenloans.com 



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