Comments on: Is usability testing necessary? http://www.perfettimedia.com/customers/is_usability_testing_necessary/ Business strategy, marketing, and UX design expertise Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:15:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kim Goodwin http://www.perfettimedia.com/customers/is_usability_testing_necessary/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Kim Goodwin Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:53:49 +0000 http://www.perfettimedia.com/?p=65#comment-11 Christine, As you know, I agree that testing is a good idea, but not always a must. However, I'd add two circumstances when I really hope teams are testing: 1. When there are no experienced, professional designers on the team, or 2. When the consequences of design mistakes are huge (e.g., a patient could be injured, a nuclear power plant could melt down, etc.) Christine,

As you know, I agree that testing is a good idea, but not always a must. However, I’d add two circumstances when I really hope teams are testing:
1. When there are no experienced, professional designers on the team, or
2. When the consequences of design mistakes are huge (e.g., a patient could be injured, a nuclear power plant could melt down, etc.)

]]> By: Christine Perfetti http://www.perfettimedia.com/customers/is_usability_testing_necessary/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Christine Perfetti Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:47:09 +0000 http://www.perfettimedia.com/?p=65#comment-10 Livia - Because usability testing often highlights the user research gaps earlier in the design process, I believe usability professionals can play a <em>huge</em> role in helping organizations see the importance of up-front research. In many cases, I've seen usability professionals drive these research activities. While some may be working themselves out of a specialized job, I find that the excellent usability specialists/testers in organizations are already completing many different job functions in addition to usability testing. The best usability specialists are skilled at many activities beyond testing, such as field research, persona development, IA, and content writing. I'm very passionate about this topic because, all too often, I encounter clients who think because I advocate usability testing, that's all I can do for them. Livia – Because usability testing often highlights the user research gaps earlier in the design process, I believe usability professionals can play a huge role in helping organizations see the importance of up-front research. In many cases, I’ve seen usability professionals drive these research activities.

While some may be working themselves out of a specialized job, I find that the excellent usability specialists/testers in organizations are already completing many different job functions in addition to usability testing. The best usability specialists are skilled at many activities beyond testing, such as field research, persona development, IA, and content writing.

I’m very passionate about this topic because, all too often, I encounter clients who think because I advocate usability testing, that’s all I can do for them.

]]> By: Livia Labate http://www.perfettimedia.com/customers/is_usability_testing_necessary/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Livia Labate Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:17:26 +0000 http://www.perfettimedia.com/?p=65#comment-9 Do you feel like a research team that is tryng to play a more significant role (ie: contributing early on to inform design teams about user needs, etc) but does mostly validation research (via usability testing) can help an org get there? In essence this is like working themselves out of a job (an idea I love). What do you think? Do you feel like a research team that is tryng to play a more significant role (ie: contributing early on to inform design teams about user needs, etc) but does mostly validation research (via usability testing) can help an org get there? In essence this is like working themselves out of a job (an idea I love). What do you think?

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