Presentation for the UX Unconference held at the University of Arizona Libraries, December 6th, 2013. Video recording of the presentation available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG1G9gpTVU.

1. UX Unconference | University of Arizona Libraries | December 6th, 2013
Do-it-Yourself
Usability Testing
Rebecca Blakiston
Website Product Manager & Associate Librarian
University of Arizona
@blakistonr

3. 1. Plan

4. Who am I and
what am I
trying to do on
your website?
Establish
primary tasks.

5. Test things you
have control
over (mostly).

6. Write out tasks.
• Find a book based on a topic
• Find open hours
• Find out how much printing costs

7. Translate tasks into scenarios.
Task
Scenario
Find open
hours
You need to drop by the library after
class, find out what time it closes
today.
Find out how
much printing
costs
You need to print a 10-page paper.
How much will this cost you at the
main library?

8. Gather incentives.

9. Identify a facilitator and note taker.
I will take
notes.
I will lead the
testing.

10. Pick a time.
time of day
day of week
day of month
time of year

11. Pick a place.

12. Pick a device.

13. Pick a software (maybe).
Silverback

14. 2. Test

15. Let them know it’s for a good
cause and won’t take much time.
Do you have a
few minutes to
help us improve
our website?

16. Introduce the test
• We want to improve the website.
• You can’t do anything wrong.
• Talk out loud, it will help us a lot..

17. Facilitate the test.
Keep them talking.
What are you thinking?
What are you looking for?

18. Manage their emotions.
Keep them happy.
Oh, crap…
This is very
helpful.
I’m feeling
lost…

19. 3. Analyze

20. Don’t freak out.
Don’t blame the user.

21. Debrief right afterwards.
I was surprised
when…

22. Focus on
the most
serious
problems.

23. Focus on the problems
easiest to fix.
What’s the smallest
change we can
make right now to
smooth over this
problem for most
people?

24. Calendar
Calendar
Event Calendar

25. Keyword Searching Tips

26. Learn more.
Usability Testing: a
Practical Guide for
Librarians
by Rebecca Blakiston
(To be published in
2014)

27. Questions
Rebecca Blakiston
blakistonr@u.library.arizona.edu
@blakistonr