Test Before you Build: How to use prototypes and think aloud user testing to build better products

Laura’s background is in GIS mapping and government data. This type of work has allowed her to flex her creativity and strategic thinking strengths to innovate workflows, and improve decision making through data-driven insights. She is passionate about making information accessible and useful for stakeholders and recently graduated with a certificate in Interaction Design and Social Entrepreneurship from the Austin Center for Design.

Transcript

1. Laura Bell Sepulveda Photo by Pim Chu
2. • What are prototypes and think aloud tests? • Pros and cons? • How to do it yourself • Results Example
7. Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash
8. Photo by Hal Gatewood
11. Pros + Inexpensive + Quick + Easy + Relevant + Impactful Cons - Extensive analytics/stats - Bias - Not natural - Doesn’t replace other testing
12. • Prototype • Tasks • People
13. Setup Photo by Adam Wilson 1 • Quiet space • Consider context • Sit to side and behind • Accessible task reminders
14. Explain and Verify Photo by rawpixel.com 2 • Introduction and plan • Example of thinking aloud • Get consent • Make them feel comfortable
15. Take Notes Photo by Startup Stock Photos 3 • Create a template
16. Take Notes Photo by Startup Stock Photos 3 • Create a template • Record audio • Record video
17. Don’t Talk Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem Icon: Infinity by Timofey Rostilov from the Noun Project • “Please keep talking” • Do not assist or lead • Save questions for end • Do not explain or defend
19. Number of testers: 5 Age range: 26 - 50 All have banking apps All tested on an iphone
21. 1. Know the status of their budget. 1
22. 1. Know the status of their budget. 2. Easily dive deeper to learn more about spending with smart filters. 2
23. 1. Difficulty with ‘safe to spend’. 1 1
24. 1. Difficulty with ‘safe to spend’. 2. Legend was ineffective and chart breakdown amounts were confusing. 2 2
25. 1. Difficulty with ‘safe to spend’. 2. Legend was ineffective and chart breakdown amounts were confusing. 3. Overwhelming 3
26. 1. Difficulty with ‘safe to spend’. 2. Legend was ineffective and chart breakdown amounts were confusing. 3. Overwhelming 3
27. • What prototype and think aloud testing means • Pros and cons • How to do it yourself • Case Study Example
30. Questions? Laura Bell Sepulveda laura.bell.sepulveda@gmail.com