Usability basics

Usability basics

• 1.
  BASICS OF
 USABILITY how easyis the interface to use
• 2.
  What is USABILITY? howeasy is the interface to use Learnability Efficiency Errors SatisfactionMemorability Usability is a QUALITY ATTRIBUTE that assesses HOW EASY USER INTERFACES ARE TO USE.
• 3.
  Learnability How easy isit for users to accomplish basic tasks the 
 first time they encounter the design? The user can QUICKLY GO from NOT KNOWING the system to GETTING SOME WORK DONE with it. ex: Can you find the “Pay Now” button even after a couple of beers?
• 4.
  Efficiency Once users havelearned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks? Once the user has LEARNED THE SYSTEM, a high level of PRODUCTIVITY is possible. ex: Can grandad quickly find his favourite program on BBC iPlayer that he listens to everyday?
• 5.
  Memorability When users returnto the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency? EASY TO REMEMBER > The infrequent user is ABLE TO RETURN to using the system AFTER SOME PERIOD of not having used it, WITHOUT HAVING TO LEARN EVERYTHING ALL OVER. ex: When you came back from your holiday, can you still navigate Instagram pages as easily as you could before?
• 6.
  Errors How many errorsdo users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? Users do not make many errors during the use of the system, or if they do make errors they can easily recover from them. Also, NO CATASTROPHIC ERRORS SHOULD OCCUR. ex: Is mum still clicking on ‘Save’ when she wants to click ‘Publish’ on WordPress?
• 7.
  Satisfaction How pleasant isit to use the design? Pleasant to use: Users are subjectively SATISFIED by using the system; THEY LIKE IT! Ex: Does your uncle find the AirBNB website confusing and clunky to use?
• 8.
  What is USABILITY? USABILITYUTILITY + USEFUL =key attribute - UTILITY refers to the design's functionality: Does it do what users need? It matters little that something IS EASY if it's NOT WHAT YOU WANT. It's also no good if the system can hypothetically DO WHAT YOU WANT, but you CAN’T MAKE IT happen because the user interface is TOO DIFFICULT.
• 9.
  Why is usabilityIMPORTANT? On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for survival There are plenty of other websites available - leaving is the first line of defense when users encounter a difficulty. Game over - Customer lost equipment damage anger and frustration higher error rates physical and emotional injury decreased productivity costs money
• 10.
  How to IMPROVEusability? 1. Before starting the new design, test the old design to identify the good parts that you should keep, and the bad parts that give users trouble. 2. Test your competitors' designs to get cheap data on a range of alternative interfaces that have similar features to yours. 3. Conduct a field study to see how users behave in their natural habitat. 4. Inspect the design relative to established usability guidelines whether from your own earlier studies or published research. 5. Once you decide on and implement the final design, test it again
• 11.
  Zdeněk Lanc UX designer web: www.yd.cz e-mail:
 yd@yd.cz 
 twitter: @ZdenekLanc Thankyou!