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Assignment
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Ensure Usability module 3755R
Overall goals / objectives
The purpose of this exercise is to determine the usability of a web site. The site I have chosen is the Microsoft web site.
This site is a multifunctional site which supports the Microsoft Products. It is an extensive site with many areas of interest supporting all levels of users of the Microsoft products ranging from games, utilities, technical support to training and development.
The key tasks to assess this usability are:
(a) To find the latest downloadable security update for XP
(b) What are the MCP Microsoft Certified Professional certification
requirements
Testing Outline
The usability test is conducted by arranging for a person to use and
navigate the site being tested. The person will not have used the site
previously. The user is given two tasks to perform one reasonably simple
and the other requiring more effort to find.
The user is not given any further assistance and the observer will
then detail the activities of the user and document the process involved
in completing the tasks.
This test is then repeated using another volunteer.
The results are assessed using the following five aspects of usability:
Learn ability- how easy is it for the users to accomplish basic tasks
Efficiency – once learners have performed tasks
Memorability - when users return after a period of time how easy to
return
Errors – how many errors do users make and how severe are errors.
Satisfaction – how pleasant is the experience
The Microsoft site is a very large site and therefore offers a challenge
for good navigation the use of the search facility is a good option
for this site but there seems to some limitations to the successful
outcome of the result required
There were links that would have taken the user to the correct page but were not obvious to the user. A sub menu may have assisted the user
Usability performance
Learn ability: Both users had adapted to the site with ease and both users after the first exercise immediately went to the search facility when they could not find what they wanted on the home page. The site is good to navigate overall. The search facility is a distinct advantage in most cases and overall is good in finding what is needed. Some refinements in the word search ability would be beneficial
Efficiency of site to provide the information required and to display results is good. All pages load quickly and the search facility results are also displayed promptly.
Memorability of site. Once used the site is memorable and is easy to operate. Users who revisit the site will find it easy to navigate and simple to reuse the site.
Errors Both users experienced errors whilst using the site and specifically in their entry of text in to the search facility. Both users did not get the results expected on repeated use of this search facility This is the one area that requires refinements in the search ability of subjects.
Satisfaction The site offers the user a varied source of information
and satisfies the sites objectives in providing information for the
Microsoft user. The site provides all users with up to date documentation,
information and resources and overall the site has good usability.
It is likely that users will consider that the site satisfies their
objectives in using the site.
Recommendations improve secondary navigation and improve search text
recognition for searching obscure pages.
Task one : To find the latest downloadable security update
for XP
Applicant: one
| Action specific | Comments/observation | Recommendations |
| Time started 12.30 | ||
| Commenced by scrolling the home page user acted with confidence
and went directly to search section. |
The user quickly got her bearings and after perusing the front page immediately went to the search facility | The result was easily achieved using the search facility there were also other options that would have given the same result. |
| User entered text into search index | User entered search text and search commenced | |
| The user was taken to the correct page and the correct download was found by scrolling down the page | The search result provided a number of results, one of which
was the correct result. The user scrolled down the results and
found the answer required |
|
| Time completed 12.35 |
Task two; What are the MCP Microsoft Certified Professional Certification
requirements
Applicant one
| Action specific | Comments/observation | Recommendations |
| Time Started 12.35 | ||
| Scroll up and down home page looking for suitable navigation bar. There was no link to the information required | User made a distressed groaning sound when told of task | There are several options that can be used to locate the required information |
| User went to the search facility and entered text. The search result was unsuccessful giving no result | Another option would have been to use the search with different wording | |
| User clicked on the Training navigation bar. The training page opened up. After scrolling the page the user determined this was not the right page | User did not notice the Microsoft certification button which was a few below the one pressed | |
| User clicked on overview button but this was still not the correct location | ||
| The user returned to the training page and had another look around. | ||
| The user then clicked on the FAQ section and viewed the results. With nothing being suitable | The user was not getting the result needed | |
| User found Microsoft Certification navigation link on the left hand menu bar and brought up this page | The user successfully found a button that was heading the correct way | |
| The user was then able to locate the correct link to the information required | The site is overall considering its size is reasonably easy to navigate and use | |
| Time completed 12.40 |
Task one : To find the latest downloadable security update for XP
Applicant: two
| Action specific | Comments/observation | Recommendations |
| Time started : 6pm | ||
| User commenced by scrolling the home page | The user checked the home page and immediately found the link required to find task | There is no recommendation required for this task as it was well displayed on the home page |
| A link for the security update was clicked | ||
| The user was taken to the correct page and the correct download was found by scrolling down the page | This task was very quickly completed | |
| Time completed 6.05 |
Task two; What are the MCP Microsoft Certified Professional certification
requirements
Applicant two
| Action specific | Comments/observation | Recommendations |
| Time Started 6.05 | ||
| Scroll up and down home page looking for suitable navigation bar. | There are several options that can be used to locate the required information | |
| The user did not find the text in this page and chose to use the search facility | ||
| The user entered search text but the result was not correct | The user hesitated when the search result did not give result required | The search text entered should have given a better result. |
| The user again entered some search text and again the result was not what was require | There needs to be clearer navigation bars going to the required page | |
| The result page was not what was required and the user began to have another attempt at search | It took three attempts for the user to find the result required | |
| The user achieves the page required | Once correct page was located it was easy for the user to find the specific topic required | |
| User then scrolls down the page to find topic required | The search engine does not give good results and required several attempts with different wording to achieve result | |
| Time completed 6.15 |