Informal usability testing: a strategy for user involvement

ABSTRACT

Three media, documentation, user interfaces, and online materials were subjected to informal usability testing to improve their use and content. We collected information by questionnaire on what tests had been run and what impact the testing had. The tests almost invariably caused changes to be made in documents, software, or information. This paper summarizes the results of the questionnaire, gives examples before and after testing, and provides information on follow-up testing results.

REFERENCES

• 1: Edmond H. Weiss, How to Write a Usable User Manual, I S I Press, 1985
• 2: Katherine Haramundanis, The art of technical documentation, Digital Press, Newton, MA, 1991
• 3: $kelton, T.M., '~Testing the Usability of Usability Testing," Technical Communication, Third Quarter 1992, pp. 343-359.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Performance and usage measurement

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management