A colleague recently asked me why I would choose to do Usability Testing over an Ethnographic Study? I gave them several reasons for my selection to go with Usability Testing, namely it’s ability to give evaluative, quantitative, time-based information within a few weeks of project kick-off. But what are all the reasons why one would choose Usability Testing over Ethnography? Or vice versa?
I’m pleased to see my SAP Colleagues conducting usability testing on new product enhancements. Check out this link about their work at a recent customer event!
In all my years, I’ve rarely heard of effective off-shoring approaches to usability work. It’s understandable that the idea could seem impossible to some, however with the use of remote usability testing methods, data portability and usability professionals located just about anywhere in the world, it’s possible and likely to happen. Or, at the very least repeatedly attempted.
I’d expect that heuristic reviews could be a good candidate method for off-shoring since it relies on expert knowledge and usability best practice. However, how well does this work out?
