User testing refers to the method used in the design thinking process which evaluates the product, feature or prototype with an end user.  User testing involves multiple steps - designers must create a test plan, recruit participants, perform the test and analyse the results for findings and ideas moving forward.  User testing gives you incredibly useful and valuable insights from you users regarding why and how they will use your product. You’ll be able to better understand who your users really are and what they want to achieve through using your product.

What Is User Testing

When users are exploring the prototype ask them to say their thought processes out loud so you can see how their mind is working and observe more closely. This might take some getting used to for some users - but it will help you evaluate the intricacies much closer. Observe how users either "correctly" or "incorrectly" use the product - and resist the urge to correct them! You want to make sure your product is falling in line with intuition - so don't explain or interfere. Watch and see where different facets are either failing or succeeding. And remember - the user is always right.

Ask Users To Talk Through The Process And Observe

Keep the goal in mind that you want to gather as much information as you possibly can as early as you can and that you’re doing this for 3 main reasons.<ol><li>To fix any flaws and strengthen the product for an overall better experience.</li><li>To save time and money for the company - be able to resolve issues before the expensive part of the process. </li><li>To save energy expended from your team and challenge the assumptions made.</li></ol>

Conducting A User Test

It’s important to keep in mind that the prototype is what you are testing and not the user. In usability testing, the user is always right - if something is too complicated or not working well - don’t grow frustrated with the user but understand that the product or service is lacking intuitive design. Make sure to give the user some context - it’s important the user feels in the loop and isn’t left totally in the dark. That being said - be aware to not overexplain. Overexplaining is the enemy here and will really defeat the purpose of what you are trying to accomplish. Balance is key.

The Prototype

Find out how testing provides the validation design teams need to create great products and helps unearth any flaws that a product has before being launched.

Conducting A User Test

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