Web Directions 2006
Web directions is an annual conference covering the latest thinking on standards based development with (X)HTML, CSS, DOM scripting and AJAX; web app design and development; accessibility, information architecture and user experience design.
Day 2 – The Iterative App and Rapid Usability
Instructor: Kelly Goto
Kelly is a user experience and interaction consultant based in San Francisco. She has led the app design for sites such as Web Ex, Adobe, Macromedia and Apple.
I almost missed the start after going on a “no right turn” maze trying to get to UTS. I felt like Chevy Chase in European Vacation when he gets stuck on the roundabout. After finally parking and a short walk I found my way to the workshop and joined a table of like minded peers.
The Iterative App
Code for Scrum. Kelly spent the morning session convincing the room of the benefits of Agile development and in particular Scrum when developing web applications. It was interesting to observe the limited number of hands that went up when she asked if anyone was using Scrum. I felt really proud on behalf of Elcom to be one of three people in the room who could say, “yes”, hats of to you Mark.
Rapid Usability Testing
Kelly applied the concepts of scrum to her usability testing and the results is what she calls “Rapid Usability Testing”…
- Develop Prototype (HTML or Wireframe i.e test at the start rather than the end of a project)
- Develop test scenarios
- Bring in no less than 5 external testers (from the target market and pay them)
- 2 Testing days (Modifications to prototype between testing days)
- Raw notes / rough observations delivered immediately following testing
Kelly kindly gave us access to her presentation and templates for running usability sessions as well a recommendations for screen capture software.
Stay tuned for more Web Directions updates over the next few days…
