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

[Pabini Gabriel-Petit]

This discussion has moved on since I last had time to contribute, so I'll be
brief.

BJ Cook wrote:
> > Our IT manager doesn't believe in usability and testing, he believes in
blind
> > deployment of his software and apps.

Todd R.Warfel responded:
That can usually be resolved by either having the person observing some
> actual usability testing (behind the mirror or in another room via
closed circuit TV - you don't want the participant hearing the IT
manager yelling how stupid they are for not being able to figure out
his software)
> If they're not available for that, then showing them video vignettes
> will typically help.

[PGP] You're making a big assumption here, Todd. Where management isn't
friendly toward user-centered design, it's sometimes impossible to get a
budget for any usability testing. Such companies certainly don't have
usability labs with 2-way mirrors or closed-circuit TV.

And if that doesn't work, then putting some actual
> dollar figures on the costs associated with poor usability will
> typically do the trick - since managers traditionally deal with
> budgets, playing the numbers game is a way to break into their sense of
> reason.

[PGP] Any suggestions for where to get this data?

Pabini
________________________________________

Pabini Gabriel-Petit
Principal & User Experience Architect
Spirit Softworks
www.spiritsoftworks.com