Designed for Use

Takeaway Points

• To know how to improve sketches and mock-ups, test them with real people.

• Tests don’t have to be complex. Show sketches to people, and ask them simple questions.

• For more extensive tests, define tasks that touch critical areas of your product. Prepare at least five or six tasks. Each should take between two and ten minutes. Tasks should not be prescriptive.

• Print out the tasks on individual pieces of paper.

• Recruit three to five testers, and schedule them about two hours apart.

• You can run the whole test on your own, but it’s best if you focus on simulating the computer and have another person act as the facilitator.

• Prepare all the screens people are likely to progress through while doing your tasks. Screens should not be too ...