UIEtips: Quick & Dirty Usability Testing: Step Away from the Book

At last week’s UI13 conference, the buzz was about getting started with usability testing. Folks I talked to had a frequent refrain: their group wants to start with some type of user research, but they can’t afford a full-blown scientific study. Neither the schedule nor the budget would let that happen.

That’s why Dana Chisnell’s session on quick-and-dirty usability testing resonated with so many of the attendees. They realized they could get a research effort off the ground without having to beg for a huge investment. In many cases, they could do it quickly and inexpensively, under the radar, yielding enough valuable information to make substantial improvements to their design.

In this week’s UIEtips, Dana shares how teams are using quick-and-dirty techniques and getting tremendous insights. I’m betting, after you read her article, you’ll see how you don’t need to follow “the book” to learn things that will improve your designs.

Read the article – Quick & Dirty Usability Testing: Step Away from the Book

Have you tried any quick-and-dirty user research techniques? How did they work for you? We’d love to hear about your experiences below.