http://toddwarfel.com/archives/remote-usability-testing/ Research methods. Interaction Design. Usability. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:52:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 http://toddwarfel.com/archives/remote-usability-testing/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Jason Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:04:09 +0000 http://toddwarfel.com/?p=9#comment-57 I work within a usability center for a multinational firm and we frequently rely on remote usability testing. Adding to a few of the benefits of remote testing: multiple observers, can be cost saving for all parties and fits to the testers schedule. We run remote tests over Sametime and phone as you described. We can then have multiple observers including key stakeholders, which is great to resolve any differences related to usability. (just make sure everyone is on mute - odd and unexpected comments can send a tester into a tailspin) It goes without saying you can save a lot of $$ when you don't have to be a globetrotter, even though I wouldn't mind touring the world. I also agree with Brian about a native habitat, it opens up the user for great one-off comments etc. Some drawbacks are poor connections and the occasional translation issue which would be easier to resolve in person. I work within a usability center for a multinational firm and we frequently rely on remote usability testing. Adding to a few of the benefits of remote testing: multiple observers, can be cost saving for all parties and fits to the testers schedule. We run remote tests over Sametime and phone as you described. We can then have multiple observers including key stakeholders, which is great to resolve any differences related to usability. (just make sure everyone is on mute - odd and unexpected comments can send a tester into a tailspin) It goes without saying you can save a lot of $$ when you don’t have to be a globetrotter, even though I wouldn’t mind touring the world. I also agree with Brian about a native habitat, it opens up the user for great one-off comments etc. Some drawbacks are poor connections and the occasional translation issue which would be easier to resolve in person.

]]> http://toddwarfel.com/archives/remote-usability-testing/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Brian Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:35:34 +0000 http://toddwarfel.com/?p=9#comment-31 I agree with you about the value of remote testing is really about users in their native habitat. I have been using Ethnio for quite some time and I have discovered the same things about remote testing. You will learn details from remote testing that you can't learn from in-person testing. Remote testing should be part of your research mix, which includes face-to-face, surveys and etc. I really like the speed and flexibility of remote testing since it provides a lot of value to agile development. I agree with you about the value of remote testing is really about users in their native habitat. I have been using Ethnio for quite some time and I have discovered the same things about remote testing. You will learn details from remote testing that you can’t learn from in-person testing. Remote testing should be part of your research mix, which includes face-to-face, surveys and etc. I really like the speed and flexibility of remote testing since it provides a lot of value to agile development.

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