The best way to validate that a digital experience is working for a user isn't to assume what they want or how they will navigate an application, it's to test.

As applications, transactions or navigation paths get more complicated, so does the ability to understand a fresh visitor perspective on an experience that you have been developing for an extended period of time.

As part of our design and development process, Lyquix can conduct usability testing for our clients. Testing allows us to collect unbiased feedback on the design, functionality and content of a website or app. The testing plan includes identifying inconsistencies or issues in the following areas:

• Navigation and flow
• Naming conventions and nomenclature
• Presentation, layout, and visual design elements
• The time and effort required to complete key tasks
• Task failures and abandonment

Passive Testing

Participants are queried about presented with wireframes and/or designs and asked questions about the aspects that are identified in the testing plan. This method can be used earlier in the project, before build begins. This method allows us to collect qualitative feedback and helps identify any usability issues prior to the development portion of a project

Active Testing

Participants are assigned very specific tasks that need to be performed in a hypothetical situation. The participants are recorded while performing the tasks. This method requires the test website or application to be functional by the time the testing is performed. As part of the testing, there is a video capture of the screen and a presentation of comments and reactions. This method can be performed in two modes:

• Concurrent Think Aloud – The participant is asked to comment aloud as they perform the tasks. This provides real-time feedback about their perceptions. However it doesn’t allow for accurate measurement of task completion time.
• Retrospective Think Aloud – The participant is asked to perform the tasks, and after the task is complete, the facilitator asks questions about the task.

Active testing tends to produce more accurate results but can be more costly because it occurs later in the product development process.

Lyquix works with clients to understand what testing methods make the most sense for each project, and on different stages of projects.