[Sigia-l] Usability Testing

[Leisa Reichelt]

I'm in the fortunate position these days where I'm able to design and
also have access to labs/testing facilities so that I can usability
test/research as well.

I'm perfectly able to 'test' my own design, but that's because I'm
most interested in getting the best design outcome possible, and not
necessarily with appearing infallible.

As mentioned earlier, what is critical with 'testing' design is that
it happens early and often so that design can iterate in response to
learnings throughout the process. Doing usability testing for the
first time as a line item in the project plan shortly before launch is
a waste of time and money.

In my ideal world, all designers would also do testing (although we'd
stop calling it testing and call it research instead),
Testing/researching wouldn't be a profession isolated from design.

I understand and agree with many of the concerns re: usability testing
that have been discussed above, but at the same time, I don't want
people to de-value testing wholesale. It really is incredibly
valueable to have people who will potentially be using your design,
giving you feedback as you go.

Why don't more designers re-claim the testing role and use
testing/research in ways that are actually beneficial to the design
process.

(ah yes, commercial realities etc. I'll step back into the real world now!)
________________________
Leisa Reichelt
User Experience Consultant

leisa.reichelt at gmail.com
www.disambiguity.com