Creating Task Plans for Usability Tests

Most advice around testing seems to focus on generative interviewing. This is critical to ensure that you build the right thing - but I believe there is a gap around advice on how to run high quality evaluative tests.

You want to make sure that you are getting people to ‘use’ your product in as realistic a way as possible, which can be challenging when you’re working with prototypes (don’t fall into the trap of doing a demo - that is not a usability test). And then there is the risk around you, the moderator, influencing the tests either via your instructions, your interactions or even via the ordering of tests.

Luckily there is a way to help people run better tests: Task Plans. Creating a high quality task plan lets you run tests that uncover navigation, usability and conceptual issues in your products. To create a quality plan you need to identify a realistic task (which helps you to run it ahead of time and validate your prototype can achieve the task), define your success criteria and set up the test. The structured approach lets you identify common mistakes like unclear instructions, long tasks and transfer learning effects.

In my article this week, I share how to structure a test and an example of a task plan using the product we discussed last week, ProjectAI. Check it out below.

This Week’s Updates

Enabling the Team

Be Objective, Not Detached by Wes Kao
Being too objective can make you detached. Share facts with context, acknowledge issues, and add a positive forward-looking perspective to guide decisions effectively.

The Pandemic Proved That Remote Leadership Works by Ron Ashkenas
The pandemic shifted leadership dynamics by proving remote work can be effective. Leaders must adapt to support distributed teams and foster trust, accountability, and productivity.

Product Direction

The Capacity Allocation Illusion by John Cutler
Teams don't have a fixed capacity for work, but capacity is dynamic and influenced by team focus and priorities. Align team efforts with desired outcomes and be adaptable to changing needs, rather than rigidly allocating resources to predefined tasks.

50 Things We’ve Learned About Building Successful Products by Ian Vanagas
A no-fluff list of hard-earned product lessons, from prioritisation and customer feedback to when to scale and how to avoid building the wrong thing.

Continuous Research

The Problem With AI Generated Personas... by Dr Maria Panagiotidi
AI-generated personas can lack the nuance and depth that come from real user research, leading to misrepresentation. Authentic user insights are crucial for effective design.

Improve Your Competitive Analysis With User Research by Cori Widen, Alisa Harvey
Competitive analysis benefits many stakeholders. Here’s how to manage a competitive analysis end-to-end with better results. [Sponsored Content]

Continuous Design

Creating Task Plans for Usability Tests by Rory Madden
By focusing on real-world scenarios, clear success criteria, and careful observation of user behavior, you can uncover genuine usability issues and opportunities for improvement.

What Is Value, And How To Define It For A Product? by Sunil Shrivastav
It’s important to understand both emotional satisfaction and utility from a user standpoint, as well as strategic alignment and market appeal from a business perspective.

Continuous Development

A Cumulative Culture Theory Of Developer Problem-Solving by Cat Hicks
Developer problem-solving thrives through collective social learning, challenging traditional views that prioritize individual genius.

Trends in Engineering Leadership: Observability, Agile Backlash, and Building Autonomous Teams by Cris Cooney & Shane Hastie
From managing hybrid teams to prioritising developer experience and aligning with business outcomes, the engineerings leaders roles are evolving. Focus on collaboration, adaptability, and fostering strong team cultures in complex organizations.

Let’s Upskill!
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There’s something for everyone! From strategic prioritization frameworks to cross-discipline collaboration and AI integration, these workshops offer practical, actionable insights to help you elevate your skills and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Don’t miss out on securing your spot for these invaluable learning opportunities!

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS 

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Video of the Week
Everyone's onboard. So why isn't change happening?

Have you ever spent weeks gathering data to make a compelling case for process change, only for your efforts to be met with inaction? It’s frustrating when you know the potential for increased revenue or cost savings, yet competing priorities and deadlines seem to sideline your plans.

In this video, we dive into why this often happens and provide practical strategies to ensure your proposed changes don’t get lost in the shuffle. Watch now for insights on how to break through the barriers and drive meaningful transformation in your organization.👇

The Results of Last Week’s Poll

The question: What's your biggest challenge when crafting positioning messages?

This week’s poll reveals that the biggest challenge when crafting positioning messages is quantifying the value proposition, with 46% of respondents facing this issue. This shows how difficult it can be to clearly communicate the impact of a product or service, especially when trying to connect value with tangible metrics.

27% find the challenge lies in identifying the right market segment and translating features into benefits came in third with 20%. Interestingly, no respondents indicated that they face no challenges at all. Positioning messages are crucial for making an impact, and overcoming these obstacles can lead to stronger, more effective communication with your target audience.

If you’re looking to sharpen your messaging or tackle these challenges head-on, consider exploring strategies to refine your approach through our Continuous Design course!

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