Usability Evaluation
Usability is a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word "usability" also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process.
On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for success. If a website is difficult to use, users will leave. If the homepage fails to clearly state what a company offers and what users can do on the site, users will leave. If users get lost on a website, they leave. If a website's information is hard to read or doesn't answer users' key questions, they will leave. There's no such thing as a user reading a website manual or otherwise spending much time trying to figure out an interface. There are plenty of other websites available; leaving is the first line of defence when users encounter a difficulty.
Evaluation plan
Overview of usability goals
Usability testing will include the following five components:
• Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?
• Efficiency: How fast can experienced users accomplish tasks?
• Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, does the user remember enough to use it effectively the next time, or does the user have to start over again learning everything?
• Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors and how easily can they recover from the errors?
• Satisfaction: How much does the user like using the system?
Purpose of usability evaluation
The purpose of evaluation can be to improve the usability of the product as part of design/development process. If any errors and difficulties occur when the website is tested, all the information can be recorded and developer/designer can fix or debug them before putting the website live.
Who will participate in the test?
Selection criteria should be informed by the purpose of the website, the overall goals of the test, and by the characteristics that make different types of users
On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for success. If a website is difficult to use, users will leave. If the homepage fails to clearly state what a company offers and what users can do on the site, users will leave. If users get lost on a website, they leave. If a website's information is hard to read or doesn't answer users' key questions, they will leave. There's no such thing as a user reading a website manual or otherwise spending much time trying to figure out an interface. There are plenty of other websites available; leaving is the first line of defence when users encounter a difficulty.
Evaluation plan
Overview of usability goals
Usability testing will include the following five components:
• Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?
• Efficiency: How fast can experienced users accomplish tasks?
• Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, does the user remember enough to use it effectively the next time, or does the user have to start over again learning everything?
• Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors and how easily can they recover from the errors?
• Satisfaction: How much does the user like using the system?
Purpose of usability evaluation
The purpose of evaluation can be to improve the usability of the product as part of design/development process. If any errors and difficulties occur when the website is tested, all the information can be recorded and developer/designer can fix or debug them before putting the website live.
Who will participate in the test?
Selection criteria should be informed by the purpose of the website, the overall goals of the test, and by the characteristics that make different types of users