[ID Discuss] Interaction design == web design

[Whitney Quesenbery]

At 08:39 PM 4/16/2004 +0100, Michael Bartlett wrote:
>I decided to conduct a round of usability testing through a 3rd party in
>London on an early'ish Beta of our product. It was the first time we've
>embarked on such a journey and it was indeed an interesting process.
>
>The few companies I researched (there don't appear to be that many in
>London) all had very web-orientated portfolios and seemed very geared up
>towards brand, information architecture and harping on about the back button
>and other such web-centric considerations.

You might want to take a look at the UK UPA's web site - 
http://www.ukupa.org.uk/ and the link there to Questions to Ask Your 
Usability Supplier. They are a pretty good start at being an informed 
consumer.

As others have noted, there are lots of usability companies focusing on the 
web in large part because this is where the money is right now. But there 
are other companies - many of which have been in business for 10+ years 
that work with traditional applications and desktop products. And there are 
consultants and companies who have worked in the collaborative workspace 
field.

UsabilityNet's consultant list shows over 30 companies in the London area:
http://www.usabilitynet.org/management/u_consultants.htm#UK

1. Ask for portfolio that matches the kind of application you will be 
testing, or ask for proof that they understand the domain.

2. As with any third-party resource, usability testing is not a "black 
box." You will get your best results when you work closely with them.  Make 
sure you have worked with them on the issues to be focused on, the test 
plan, recruiting criteria and so on. You have described a complex 
environment and it will take some cleverness to set up a simulation of that 
environment.

3. You said you got a lot from watching the video: Did you not observe the 
test itself? Why not?

4. Consider other forms of usability testing. With a task that takes place 
over a period of time, involving many people, a lab test might not be the 
most effective method. Look for a company that has the breadth and 
creativity to come up with the right way to get the answers you need.

Whitney




Whitney Quesenbery
Whitney Interactive Design, LLC
w. www.WQusability.com
e. whitneyq at wqusability.com
p. 908-638-5467

UPA  - www.usabilityprofessionals.org
STC Usability SIG: www.stcsig.org/usability