U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program FSIS Usability Testing October 2003.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

eGovernment Program

FSIS Usability Testing

October 2003

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U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program

I. Usability Methodology

II. Schedule and Directions

Agenda

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What is Usability?

Usability is the overall measurement of the satisfaction of interactions a user has with a product or system such as a Web site, software application, mobile technology, or user-operated device

A high level of satisfaction occurs when users find a Web site that is useful and usable; this is termed an “engaging user experience”

Quality of the user’s experience on a Web site can be measured using the following usability principles:

• Use a Simple Page Design

• Know your Users and Speak their Language

• Ensure Consistency Throughout the Site

• Design Your Site for Efficiency and Ease of Use

• Provide an Engaging Experience

• Support the User and Provide Feedback

• Use a Clear Navigation Structure

Usability becomes increasingly important as more and more information, products, and services become available through electronic means

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Why is Usability Important?

An engaging user experience on a particular Web site results in increased usage of that site, improved user productivity, and reduced training, support, and development costs. There is always room for improvement…

The average usability test results in 70-100 recommendations for improvements.1

Users cannot find the information they seek on Web sites 60% of the time leading to wasted time, reduced productivity, increased frustration and loss of repeat visits and money.2

95% of users will use less than 5% of features of a site; 75% of the features will never be used.3

In private industry, 62% of online shoppers gave up at least once while looking for products.4

For every $10 spent defining and solving critical usability problems early in development using professional usability research, you will save about $100 in development costs.5

1 Mary Harrison, Richard Henneman, and Louis Blatt, “Design of Human Factors Cost Justification Tool”2 Nielsen Norman Group, “Usability Return on Investment”3 MauroNewMedia, Charles Mauro4 Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms, National Center for Education Statistics5 MauroNewMedia, Charles Mauro

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Usability at USDA

Many USDA agencies already include usability as a key component of their Web design and development activities

RMA has conducted extensive audience analysis studies as well as usability testing of their Web site and several Web-based applications

• Created a conclusive usability report that summarizes results of recent usability testing sessions

• Audience assessment of key user groups is currently underway

ERS has also studied its audiences and continues to measure usability and customer satisfaction on its Web site

• Developed “user personas” for each of the agency's most important user groups

• Is using Web satisfaction surveys to determine user preferences and areas for improvement

• Usability testing is planned for future site enhancements

USDA is currently conducting usability testing on the new usda.gov design and structure

1 These materials are available on USDA’s eGovernment site at: http://www.egov.usda.gov/resources/teamspace/audience.html

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FSIS Usability Testing

FSIS will conduct one round of usability testing during the design phase of the project

Low-fidelity usability testing uses paper prototypes, such as mockups created in PowerPoint

• Determines user preferences on layout, content and functionality early on in the design process

• Dramatically reduces rework and decreases design/development time

GATHER INPUTS PRODUCE OUTPUTS

Conduct pre-session briefing

Conduct participant test

session

Debrief

PREPARE AND EXECUTE TEST

6-7x

Edit video

Create

presentation

Deliver

Results

Create recruiting

guide & recruit

Create test

materials

Conduct trial

session

Review site /

application

Define test objectives

1 – 2 days

Determine test format and

participant profile

5 – 8 days 1 day 4 days

Gather Inputs Prepare And Execute Test Produce Outputs

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I. Usability Methodology

II. Schedule and Directions

Agenda

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Usability Testing Schedule

7 user sessions each lasting for 1 hour will be held on October 30th as follows:

Session 1: Thursday, October 30th, 8:00-9:00am

Session 2: Thursday, October 30th, 9:30-10:30am

Session 3: Thursday, October 30th, 11:00-12:00pm





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Directions to Accenture 11951 Freedom Drive, Reston, VA

Main Phone: (703)- 947-2000DRIVING FROM DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:Follow the Dulles Access Road (no charge) to Reston Parkway exit (Exit 12), turn left on Reston Parkway, then turn left onto Bluemont Way, turn right onto Library Street, turn left onto Freedom Drive.

The Accenture building address is 11951 Freedom Drive. Parking is available in surface lot or garage. Please enter the building on the P level, and tell the front desk attendant that you are here to see the Accenture Interactive Design Group (IDG) on the Plaza Level.

DRIVING FROM REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT:Follow signs from Airport to I-66 West, take Dulles Toll Road (Rt. 267 West) to Reston parkway exit (Exit 12), turn right onto Reston Parkway, then turn left onto Bluemont Way, turn right onto Library Street, turn left onto Freedom Drive.


DRIVING FROM BWI:From the airport, take I-195 West, take the I-95 South exit, #4B, towards Washington DC. Then take the I-495 West exit towards College Park/Silver Spring. Take the VA-267 Toll West exit, #12B, towards Dulles Airport (there will be a toll) until you reach the VA-602 Reston Parkway exit, #12. Turn right onto Reston Parkway, then turn left onto Bluemont Way, turn right onto Library Street, turn left onto Freedom Drive.


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METRO DIRECTIONS:Take the Orange Line towards Vienna/GMU and exit at the West Falls Church Station. At the West Falls Church Station board the Fairfax Connector bus on route #505. This will take you directly to the Reston Town Center 7 days a week. The cost is 75 cents and requires exact cash fare. The Connector does accept Metrobus Flash Passes, Metrobus Tokens and Metrobus Commuter Tickets.

The Accenture building address is 11951 Freedom Drive. Please enter the building on the P level, and tell the front desk attendant that you are here to see the Accenture Interactive Design Group (IDG) on the Plaza Level.

On the return trip take the Fairfax Connector Bus from the Reston Town Center on route #505. This will return you to the West Falls Church Metro Station 5 days a week. The cost is 75 cents and requires exact cash fare. The Connector does accept Metrobus Flash Passes, Metrobus Tokens and Metrobus Commuter Tickets.

The Fairfax Connector phone number is (703) 339-7200 and is a great resource for all area transportation information. You can visit their web site at: http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/comm/trans/CONNECT.htm

Directions to Accenture 11951 Freedom Drive, Reston, VA

Main Phone: (703)- 947-2000

U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program FSIS Usability Testing October 2003.

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Transcript of U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program FSIS Usability Testing October 2003.