Introduction to User Testing
| Cost: | NZ$625 excluding GST. |
|---|---|
| When: | To be confirmed |
| Where: | To be confirmed |
| RSVP: | Simply email Kimberley if you'd like to attend, or have any questions. |
Description
This day-long workshop is a practical introduction for people wanting to learn about how to improve the usability of software applications or websites. In a nutshell, user testing involves sitting down with real users, getting them to use a piece of technology, and figuring out what annoys or frustrates them. Using hands-on exercises and rich examples from New Zealand and overseas organisations we will cover:
- an introduction to usability
- how to prepare relevant scenarios
- how to recruit participants
- how to facilitate and observe user tests
- how to analyse tests
- how to present results.
Each attendee will receive a copy of our User Testing Methodology report.
Learning objectives
During the workshop participants will:
- Understand fundamental usability concepts and issues
- Learn how to design and plan user tests
- Learn how to facilitate and observe user tests
- Learn how to analyse and report the results of user testing
- Learn practical tips and tricks from the school of hard knocks
Who should attend?
Designers and developers of all kind of interactive technologies including websites, intranets, software applications, IVR systems, consumer electronics and mobile phones; usability specialists; business analysts responsible for screen designs; project managers wanting to know more about how user testing fits into the wider product development lifecycle; market researchers wanting to know how to incorporate observational research into their projects.
Previous training participants have included people from BNZ, Trademe, Datacom, the Department of Conservation, Victoria University, ACC and many others. See how the Department of Conservation benefitted from usability training.
Sample Feedback:
- "Very relevant to my role."
- "Well structured, excellently presented."
- "Entertaining examples from actual projects."
- "Great practical tips."
RSVP
Simply email Kimberley if you'd like to attend.
About the presenter - Dave O'Brien
Dave O'Brien is a senior consultant at Optimal Usability, New Zealand's leading usability consultancy company. Optimal Usability has completed over 1,600 user tests for clients such as Trademe, Westpac, Department of Conservation and Yahoo!
Dave’s ten years of user-centered design experience in San Diego taught him that the key to delivering a great product is up-front, unbiased user research - moving past preconceptions, folklore, and the competition to find out who the users really are and what they really need.
His past work, as a full-time UI designer for Qualcomm and a senior UI consultant for Intuit, includes both commercial products (B2B web apps and high-profile consumer desktop software) and internal tools (intranets, workflow automation, and knowledge management).
More recently, Dave designed a call-centre system for Air New Zealand, helped create the customer experience for a telco startup, guided the development of website personas for ACC, and created a new site-structure evaluation tool.
If the weather's good, Dave's out riding a user-centered bike and planning his next cycling tour. When it gets cold and wet, you'll find him carving stone, juggling, or playing Texas Hold'em (not at the same time).
What to wear
For your enjoyment all our workshops are designed to be as interactive and relaxed as possible, so please wear comfortable clothing. We are not always able to completely control air conditioning and room temperature, so wearing layers will be handy in case you are too hot or too cold.
Course cancellation
- A course may be cancelled or postponed by Optimal Usability either due to exceptional circumstances beyond our control (e.g. presenter illness) or should the minimum number of participants not be reached.
- It is recommended that if you are travelling from outside the city that refundable travel tickets and accommodation are booked. We cannot accept liability for non-refundable travel and accommodation in the case of cancellation or postponement.
- If a course is cancelled or postponed you will be advised and, on your instruction, the fee will either be refunded or transferred to an alternative workshop.
Participant withdrawals
- While you may send a substitution at any stage at no extra charge, we do ask that you notify of us of this within 48 hours of the workshop commencing.
- A 20% withdrawal fee will be charged if you withdraw between 15 and 5 working days before the start of the workshop.
- A 50% withdrawal fee will be charged if you withdraw between 5 working days and 48 hours before the start of the workshop.
- A 100% withdrawal fee will be charged if you withdraw less than 48 hours before the start of the workshop.
