Usability Test Orientation Script

Definition

A usability test orientation script is a testing work product that documents standard pretest information to be read verbatim to each test participant.

Objectives

The typical objectives of a usability test orientation script are to:

• Standardize test preconditions by ensuring that all test participants are given the same orientation.
• Put all test participants at ease by informing them that the work product under test is being tested, not them.
• Ensure that all test participants know what to expect during the test by informing them of what they will be doing.

Benefits

A usability test orientation script typically provides the following benefits:

• It enables multiple test monitors to provide the same orientation.
• It ensures that neither is extraneous information added nor is important information accidentally omitted.
• It enables others to know exactly what was said to the test participants.
• The test results will be more relevant because the test participants will be more at ease.

Contents

The typical contents of a usability test orientation script include:

• Introduction
• Location of Refreshments and Ammenities
• Test Objectives (e.g., test of work product(s), not the test participant)
• Participant Responsibilities:
  • Sign Nondisclosure Agreement
  • Sign Permission to Record Agreement
  • Fill Out Usability Pretest Questionnaire
  • Perform Test Using Test Procedure with Test Suite of Test Cases
  • Ask Questions as Necessary
  • Fill Out Usability Posttest Questionnaire
  • Answer Test Monitor's Debrief Questions
• Test Monitor Responsibilities:
  • Read Usability Test Orientation Script
  • Obtain Agreements
  • Have Test Participant Fill Out Usability Pretest Questionnaire
  • Operate Recording Machines
  • Facilitate Test
  • Answer Questions
  • Have Test Participant Fill Out Usability Posttest Questionnaire
  • Debrief Test Participant
  • Compensate Test Participant
• Test Facilities Description
• Questions and Answers
• Nondisclosure Agreement
• Permission to Record Agreement
• Fill Out Usability Pretest Questionnaire

Stakeholders

The typical stakeholders of a usability test orientation script are:

• Producers: The User Experience Team
• Evaluator: Test Inspection Team
• Approvers: Technical Leader
• Maintainers: User Experience Team
• Users:Test Monitor

Phases

• Initiation: Completed
• Construction: Completed
• Delivery: Completed
• Usage: Maintained
• Retirement: Archived

Preconditions

A usability test orientation script typically can be started if the following preconditions hold:

• The usability testing section of the project test plan is completed.
• The user profile section of the user analysis is completed.
• The user experience team is staffed and trained in usability testing.
• The relevant item under test (document, prototype, or application) is started.

Inputs

The typical inputs to a usability test orientation script include:

• Work products:
  • Project test plan for usability test plans.
  • System requirements specification for usability requirements
  • Work product under test
  • Work product under test standards
  • User interface design standards
• Stakeholders:
  • Test Monitor

Guidelines

• Base the usability test orientation script on the usability test objectives.
• Contents should be simple, understandable, concise, precise, relevant, and to the point.
• Internally test and revise the usability test orientation script before using it in actual practice.
• The tone of the usability test orientation script should be professional, yet friendly.
• The usability test orientation script should be read verbatim to each test participant.

Conventions

A usability test orientation script is constrained by the following conventions:

• Content and Format Standard
• MS Word Template
• XML DTD
• Inspection Checklist

Examples

• Example Usability Test Orientation Script