Software Usability Testing

According to Lederer and Prassad, 63% of software projects exceeded their estimates. The top four reasons all relate to product usability:

Frequent request for changes by users
Overlooked tasks
Users lack of understanding of their own requirements
Insufficient user to analyst communication and understanding

Whether you would like to independently verify the work of your own usability team, or you could use usability specialists to supplement your design process: choose Situated Research to uncover the often-overlooked details of your users' behaviors and interactions.

Situated Research has developed a unique method of natural observation that can find patterns in user behaviors, aimed at uncovering deep design issues (both good and bad) underlying software use. In particular, analysis focuses on both social interactions as well as action potentials created by the software interface that can create or hinder meaningful action.

Benefits of this research can include increased sales, better customer loyalty, higher user productivity and lower maintenance costs.

Downloadable Resources:

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What is the ROI?

Usability research helps ensure happy users, which translate to higher productivity and larger market share. User-friendly software can also increase your market share by attracting new users and reducing customer-support costs. In a user-centered redesign of their antivirust software, McAfee cut their customer-support costs by 90% by incorporating user-experience research into their product.

Frustrated users may resort to your competitors' products, while others will be less efficient and less satisfied with their work. A difficult to use product should be avoided at all costs. A study by Karat & Lund (2005) describes customer service savings with a user-friendly redesign, noting how "an improved experience by Schneider Automation resulted in $2 million saved in call‐center support costs over the first 10 months after the change."

Studies to Consider:

Need help deciding? View a comparison chart of these studies.

Value

Integrating usability experts throughout the software design process ensures that the final product aligns with business objectives: with increased revenue and market share, as well as happier users and better brand perception.

Pricing on our usability services starts at $6,000, and varies per project. We would love to learn more about your needs, so get in touch with us today.

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