Usability testing

This method is most useful for: 

• discovering problems in a design 
• finding opportunities to improve a design 
• learning about user behaviours and perceptions 

When running usability testing, you should: 

• recruit people who know nothing, or very little, about your service or service constraints to get a fresh and unbiased view 
• find participants with diverse experiences, backgrounds, knowledge, and abilities 
• remain neutral and avoid sharing your personal opinions or how involved you were in the design  
• always observe what the user does, it might be different to what they say 

Chris Sutton, a user researcher who previously worked at the Welsh Local Government Association, wrote this guide for conducting a one-hour usability testing session. 

• 1-hour usability testing template

• Usability testing during COVID-19 - how we conducted remote representative usability testing for adult social services

• Usability Testing 101 by the Nielsen Norman Group