Mobile Lab Testing Protocol
Suggestions, reasoning and design for converting conference room into an onsite usability testing mobile test lab. This will be the ideal and most economical set up for analysis and collection of our usability test sessions. A usability test is intended to determine the extent an interface or app facilitates a user’s ability to complete routine tasks.
Users will be asked to complete a series of routine tasks. Sessions are recorded in a lab and analyzed to identify potential areas for improvement. In order to employ design changes for the new web site roll out we must discover pain points with the current web site that isn’t mobile friendly and is generating a glut of customer service complaints.
Findings from these sessions will guide and inform that redesign. Read on for exciting ideas for transforming this already purchased space into a lab to accomplish this.
Executive Summary
The executive summary outlines the highlights of the rest of the presentation and entices the audience to view the rest of the presentation. Jaw-dropping mobile first statistics and check-list included.
Project Hardware and Software Needs Itemized
Our team assessed the equipment already onsite (pre-existing equipment) and by transforming the current space we can get the most bang for our buck. We configured the most ideal and economical set up possible by adding on a few additional items and software (purchase required).
Project Hardware and
Software Examples
This is a detail of the kit of hardware and software ingredients needed and more specific details and their interplay.
Mobile Usability Test Setup
The mobile usability studies would be set up to match ‘in-the-wild’ or at least simulate the ordinary environment of an office. The user would hold all devices as naturally as possible and without bulky or awkward attachments. Since gestures will be recorded on the secondary video the most uninhibited actions are the most desirable. The mirroring software will include a video recorded session that will include the facial expressions of the participants as well.
Remote Viewing of the Sessions
A stellar stand out point is this set up offers multiple remote viewing options. The direct multiple screen mirroring live feed and the secondary web stream of the test session, including gestures through the iPad recording set up. Additionally, the sessions can be viewed remotely both with live streaming and retroactively in the video archives recorded to YouTube. Additionally, the secondary recording can be synched for web conferencing of the zoom feed through the iPad as video and microphone set-up. These multiple recording and streaming options also guarantee no lost sessions and offer an insurance policy in the event of failure of technology or spotty Internet service. There is ample space within the set up of the room for additional observers and guests as well.
Lab Sketch — Before
Because of budget constraints we worked within the framework of the existing conference room to make a pop-up mobile lab. Blocking out this already paid for office space was our best option. Additionally, the conference room is already half the way there. It has an existing large LCD wall mounted display that is hooked up to a freestanding tower beside the conference table. This PC and corresponding wireless keyboard will provide enough processing power to render and stream the mirroring software and record seamlessly.
The large conference room table provides ample workspace to spread out devices and can handle an accompanying laptop for quality check and note taking. The seating arrangement is flexible and allows for additional observers or facilitator helpers.
Lab Sketch — After
This is an overview of the equipment collected from different departments and a few minimal purchases as well, incorporating something old, something new, something borrowed and maybe something blue? This is one of the best scenarios the team came up with measured by both budget and high quality output. This set up is ideal because the user can spread out the devices, either their own phone with an InVision prototype link or supplied devices and test, consecutively, or concurrently with Reflector 2.
The device testing will stream through this software onto the LCD display for present (or remote through the streaming upload view). The facilitator run laptop can double as a note taking machine as well as a quality check, of the streaming video to YouTube. The iPad as video recorder is set up closest to the user, also working double duty, capturing the participants gestures, as well as securing a back up recording, via zoom conferencing and video recording software. This iKlip microphone and tablet-securing stand will capture quality audio.
Summary of Reasoning & Alternative Options
The team settled on this configuration because it seems far superior then other options and best meets the needs of this particular study and business. Working onsite is most expedient and has the quickest lead and turnaround time. Considering the aggressive development schedule, testing prior to the time frame of site building is crucial.
Frankly, there are as many options as there is time to research them, many are clever and fun to brainstorm, but as Norman states, just because you can advance in certain directions with new technology, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. The chart below outlines some of the fertile and many alternative options out there, some of them best suited to traveling mobile testing, for a train app for example.