Cleaning Up for the Housekeeper, or, Why it Makes Sense to do Both Expert Review and Usability Testing

Contrasts the unique aspects of expert reviews and usability testing. The usability goals they address are different. Know when to use which one, and when to use both.

Straub, Kathleen. Usability Professionals Association (2006). Articles>Usability>Methods>Testing

Cleaning up for the Housekeeper: or Why it Makes Sense to do both Expert Review and Usability Testing  

Once in a while a client will tilt their head and look at me with one of those smiles. “You want to do expert review and then also usability testing?” they say. “Is this one of those consulting tricks? Why would I need to do both?” It’s a fair question. To the casual observer, usability testing and expert review probably look very similar.

Straub, Kathleen. Usability Professionals Association (2004). Articles>Usability>Methods

On the Meta-Usability of User Interface Standards

Interface standards provide context-specific guidance for implementing a system based on the task goals and functions within it. A solid standard provides guidance at two levels. At the level of look and feel, it ensures consistency throughout the application or site. To be meaningful in usability terms, the standard also must provide guidance to support a consistent experience at the functional level.

Straub, Kathleen. uiGarden (2006). Design>User Interface>Standards

When Getting the Job Done Isn't Enough

Interface designers today are swirling within a blizzard of data. How many types of user data does your Web team collect?

Straub, Kathleen. Human Factors International (2006). Articles>Web Design>User Centered Design>Log Analysis

Where Are You When I Need You? (or... Ending the Search for Search)

Just as with any relationships, users' previous experiences--good or bad--will influence the expectations and hopes that they will have for their relationship with your site. And as with human relationships, this means that if you really want it to work, you need to know some of the gory details of their past to make the future smooth. That's the bad news. The good news is that we are only talking about Web sites.

Straub, Kathleen. Human Factors International (2006). Articles>Web Design>Usability

The World is Ready for Usability. Is Usability Ready for the World?

User-centered design is being systematically integrated into the Web, application and product development process. It's the tipping point usability specialists have been waiting for. But are we ready? Does the field have the tools, and resources -- or for that matter the people -- to keep up with the need?

Straub, Kathleen. Usability Interface (2005). Articles>Usability>Professionalism

Are We There Yet? Effects of Delay on User Perceptions of Web Sites

One of the chronic challenges that will be highlighted by emotional design is site download speed. There are many sources of delay in Web site and application delivery.

Straub, Kathleen. Human Factors International (2003). Articles>Web Design>User Centered Design>Emotions

Why "How Many Users" is Just the Wrong Question

Every day in offices around the world usability professionals ask and are asked this question: How many users do we need for our usability test? Its an important question. We want to find most of and the most severe problems. So, we need to test enough people. But usability testing is so expensive, and the cost of testing increases with each participant. So, we don't want to test too many, either.

Straub, Kathleen. UI Design Newsletter (2007). Articles>Usability>Testing>Methods

Playing Doctor? Trends in Health Information Seeking on the Web

Evolving and improving technology can improve health and healthcare in a myriad of ways. Equipment that is designed with the user, task, and environment in mind will reduce errors and improve outcomes. New designs make it possible for patients to do things for themselves that previously only doctors could.

Straub, Kathleen. UI Design Newsletter (2007). Articles>Information Design>Scientific Communication>Biomedical

Meta-Usability: When the Method is Not the Message

There is a necessary connection between theory and practice. But there is also a difference between the two. And that difference, as van de Snepscheut said, is larger in practice than it is in theory.

Straub, Kathleen. UI Design Newsletter (2007). Articles>Usability>Research>Publishing