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| Participatory Design Test |
Summary:
Responsive websites or mobile apps have different use
contexts compared to desktop only versions. Therefore, their testing is always
a challenging task. Generally, we take two routes to test, one by general and
large scale testing or by broad assumptions while another is the designing of a
feature and testing it in its specific ways. In fact, they both are two extreme
ends of the testing spectrum, but participatory design of testing can bridge
them and offer contextual usability tests.
Introduction:
As we are living
in mobile era and almost 50% population use mobile devices to access the web
for all purposes including critical shopping. As, the day before yesterday, we
were developing websites for desktop users and have used our testing system
accordingly. Therefore, we have tough time to offer excellent user experiences
and usability on mobile devices in responsive web designing endeavors.
Today we have many
advance and appropriate testing systems, methods, and facilities to accomplish
our quality maintenance tasks for intricate responsive website development
project. For instance, we can run guerilla UX test with the least investment of
time and money. Same the way for usability testing, we have participatory
design to test our contextual interactions in real-time.
Why We Need Contextual Participatory Test
Yes, contextual
testing matters more for the mobile website and application testing. As, we
know mobile used in wider and in unexpected use cases and contexts due to its
mobility factors against the standalone desktops or laptops with partial
mobility. For instance, when a mobile user accesses a website during its
commuting route, she has altogether different needs and issues with the website
from the other locations like office or home.
If we think on
getting out in the field for UX or usability testing with real users in
real-time, it becomes impossible to accomplish our project within given
timelines. Therefore, we have to simulate much of our contextual experiences in
the lab or in the areas of our vicinity in economic and safe ways. In due
course, industry has one refined approach for mobile testing and that is
participatory design. As, this test takes short time and limited users, as the participants,
we can go cost-effective ways without missing much quality credentials.
Steps of Participatory Design Test Session
Step 1 - Intimate Users Regarding Test
At first step, we
used to introduce our app and testing points that uncover the actual usage of
our app or website or anything creating pains in user experiences. If you successfully
brought awareness and put them in right contexts that you want to use product,
you would have better cooperation from them.
In this process,
you must go in-depth and create questions, which should cover: when, where, how
long, what tasks, and how satisfied like categories.
Step 2 – Documentation
Once you soak them
in your desired contexts through initial questions, draw a timeline for the beginning
and end of the test as well as tell test participants to fill its intermediate
steps using documentation techniques. In this documentation process, you can
use colorful stickers to overlay their emotions in the range of negative and
positive. This way you will capture their happiness and frustration in qualitative
as well as quantitative measures.
Step 3 – Sketching Experiences
For this step of
test, you have to bring participants in the lab and tell them to recall their
field experiences and translate them in some wireframe like designs. Give
participant the pen-paper, drawing and cutout equipments, and tap and scissors
to stick cutouts on the design of phone and its screens or interfaces, just
like we do in prototyping.
Step 4 – Feedback
Now, in this final
step, converse with participants after examine their sketches and documents. Place
your own imaginative designs on the table or show in modern prototyping tools
with interactions and animations. Thus, they will push their boundaries and will
provide you valuable feedback on the designs. Thus, they will help you to
iterate or refine your development methodologies.
Fortunately, Lujayn
has excellent web
design and mobile development team with enough experiences in
participatory design testing to bring robust outcomes on the table.
