Usability Testing Myths and Misconceptions

Usability testing is probably the most well-known user research method in the user experience design process. In the distant past, user experience professionals spent a lot of time explaining and persuading clients and product team members about the need to perform usability testing on designs before beginning development. In the last decade, more and more business people have understood the need for user experience, and if they’ve heard of any method, it’s usability testing.

Even with this increased exposure, I’m amazed that there are still so many misunderstandings about usability testing. I recently published an article in the UX magazine, UXmatters – 17 Usability Testing Myths and Misconceptions. It lists and debunks many of the misconceptions I’ve heard, and sadly still continue to hear, about usability testing.

The key message of the article is, whatever your profession, be careful of overestimating what others understand about your methods. Clear communication avoids misconceptions and problems.

 

 

Image courtesy of Thomas Link by Creative Commons license.