User Validation

Time: 10 – 60 minutes

When you Might Use This
When you want to evaluate the high level usability and effectiveness of a concept. Use this technique when there isn’t time for a full usability test. This can be done with a UI at all stages of completion, whether it’s just a wireframe, mockup, prototype or it’s an existing product.

Instructions

1. Pre-Test: Gather 5 to 7 users and setup up individual interviews.
2. Setup: Always introduce the concept you want to evaluate by explaining the use case and the problems you are attempting to solve.
3. Simply show the concept to the user. Let them evaluate what they are seeing for a minute before you begin to ask questions.
4. First ask what their first impression is of the concept. What can you do? Get them to tell you what the UI is for.
5. Secondly, get specific, ask how they think they might perform a task. Or series of tasks.
6. Thirdly, What doesn’t make sense about the UI. What is confusing?
7. Lastly, ask specific questions about anything that wasn’t mentioned, what do you think that button does? What do you think those things are?
8. Finally, explain everything about it. Tell them what you were thinking and attempting to do. Then gather final feedback.
9. Repeat the process for every screen.

Tips

Always ask open ended questions. Never lead the user to the answers. Only explain what or how to do something after they have told you everything they see about the uI.