Usability Testing and You

Usability testing is a popular method of testing that is used commonly throughout the software industry. It's obvious that functionality is the highest priority when it comes to software development, but I've always felt that usability is a close second, especially in this current technological market. A consumer nowadays has plenty of options when it comes to new hardware/software, which always meets the functional requirements, so at the end of the day, their purchase will be based on usability. Usability testing is very informal and it's loose structure allows for a small audience to freely discover what it is about your software that they love...and hate.

Usability testing is definitely something you should consider if you are programming, but there are a few different kinds of test methods. If you have the time and the resources, you should consider doing them all:

Hallway Testing
Hallway Testing is what it sounds like, you go into the hallway, grab the nearest person that's not a part of your project team, and get them to test your software. If allows you to get some fresh eyes on a project. Sometimes a usability issue can remain in software for years, and not get addressed because end users get so used to it, they don't even notice the problem anymore. Hallway testers help solve that problem.

Remote Testing
This type of testing, in which you invite end users from around the world to test your software from their own computers. You can collect a lot of data about actions this way (clicks, response times, performance against system specifications), but you won't be able to get the more subtler data, such as a user's facial expressions or physical reactions while using your software, which can tell you a lot about usability.

Expert Testing
Who knows better than the experts on how your software will feel to the target audience? Experts come in with a lot of knowledge about workflows, so they don't need any introduction or explanation on how your software is supposed to work. The problem with experts is they also come in with a pre-configured bias, which can result in unhelpful feedback. If you are trying something new or groundbreaking, like a major UI overhaul, you may want to take the conservative mindset of the expert reviewer with a grain of salt.

To learn more about usability testing in general, or to learn more about testing considerations, check out this insightful article.

Sources:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2013/06/how-to-approach-usability-testing/
http://miagido.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/TESTING-75.jpg