In a typical physical usability testing setup, the participant and facilitator sit next to each other. The participant performs tasks on a computer running screen-recording software and a webcam that captures their expressions. The computer is connected to an external monitor, allowing the facilitator to observe the participant's actions, administer tasks, and take notes.

Rutgers University

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A usability-testing session involves a participant and a facilitator who gives tasks to the participant and observes the participant’s behavior.

Core Elements of Usability Testing

The participant should be a realistic user of the product or service being studied. That might mean that the user is already using the product or service in real life. Alternatively, in some cases, the participant might just have a similar background to the target user group, or might have the same needs, even if he isn’t already a user of the product.

Participant

The facilitator guides the participant through the test process. She gives instructions, answers the participant’s questions, and asks followup questions.

The facilitator works to ensure that the test results in high-quality, valid data, without accidentally influencing the participant’s behavior. Achieving this balance is difficult and requires training.

(In one form of remote usability testing, called remote unmoderated testing, an application may perform some of the facilitator’s roles.)

Facilitator in Usability Testing

Physical Setup for Usability Testing

In a usability test, tasks are realistic activities that a participant might perform with the product in real life. Tasks can range from very specific (e.g., a fixed scenario with a defined goal) to very open-ended (e.g., 'explore the site and tell us what you notice'), depending on the study's research questions and the type of usability testing being conducted.

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