Usability Test Script
A session script with tasks phrased as goals, and moderator prompts that do not lead.
Definition
A usability test script keeps sessions consistent and keeps the moderator from helping. It includes the words to say when a participant asks for help.
Craft convention. True because the industry converged on it. Breaking it costs familiarity, not correctness.
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Setup
Set expectations: testing the design, thinking aloud, no wrong answers, recording consent.
Two or three questions to establish context, before showing anything.
Tasks
Phrase each as a goal with a scenario. Never name interface elements.
Scenario, goal, and what success looks like for your notes.
Order tasks so earlier ones do not teach the answer to later ones.
Include at least one task that is likely to fail. Failures are the findings.
Moderation
Redirect without answering. Write these down so you do not improvise a hint.
The reassurances that contaminate the data.
Opinion questions belong at the end, after the tasks.
Continue from here
Each link says what the connection is, so you can tell a principle from an alternative from a thing people mix this up with.
Applies when you are designing
Often used with
These usually appear in the same screen or the same decision.
- Confirmation BiasCognitive bias
- Curse of KnowledgeCognitive bias
- Guerrilla TestingResearch method
- Usability TestingResearch method
- Research PlanTemplate
Short definition
The one-paragraph version, for when that is all you need.