Friday, February 8, 2008

Usability Techniques

We have a number of core techniques we employ in our usability program. This post is a brief overview of the techniques. In future posts, I'll dwell on each technique in more detail and discuss how we employ each on a project. The three core techniques are Card Sorting, Expert Review and Lab Testing.

Card Sorting – uncovering the mapping of the computer display of information and the user’s conceptual model of the information; each concept is written on a card and the users sort the cards into piles.

Expert Review – a formal review conducted by usability specialists according to common, pre-established usability principles.

Lab Testing – while being observed by usability specialists, users attempt to complete scripted tasks, which take advantage of the functionality of the system.

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