[Sigia-l] Usability Testing

[Bill Killam]

I, too, cringe at the concept of anyone "doing usability".  The distinction
is between conducting usability evaluations as part of the design process
and performing a user-based validation of a design.  (BTW, I do not
personally refer to the validation as a usability study test.  It's a
user-based evaluation and addressed more than just usability.  Which is
where Jill's marketing concepts also get looked at, etc.)  We have several
clients that come up with a design and ask us to validate their concepts,
assumptions, etc.  And we present findings and discuss possible alternatives
to areas we see possible issues.  It's a collaborative effort.

Bill
-------------------------------------------------------
Bill Killam, MA CHFP
President, User-Centered Design, Inc.
20548 Deerwatch Place
Ashburn, VA 20147
email: bkillam at user-centereddesign.com
Work/Fax: (703) 729-0998
Mobile: (703) 626-6318
Web: www.user-centereddesign.com


-----Original Message-----
From: sigia-l-bounces at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-bounces at asis.org] On Behalf
Of Christopher Fahey
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:00 AM
To: Sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: Re: [Sigia-l] Usability Testing

Arthur Fink wrote:
> When "test" is seen as "validate", then, certainly, yes.
> 
> But when testing is part of an iterative cycle of development 
> by prototyping, then it almost has to be done by the same 
> group -- and that's just fine.

I see your point. Would you say that "testing" is tactical, and "validation"
is strategic? Can "usability testing" do both?

-Cf

Christopher Fahey
____________________________
Behavior
biz: http://www.behaviordesign.com
me: http://www.graphpaper.com

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