How carefully you have prepared a usability test .

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Sometimes setting up your laboratory can be very complex. It is possible that sooner or later, you will have to face technical problems in your laboratory during a usability test. Here is a small guide to prevent and manage those problems. Check settings before each study This is the best way to prevent problems in the laboratory before a usability test. Even if the settings haven't changed since your previous study, try them again. What worked yesterday does not necessarily have to work today. Check everything and pay special attention to these points: The stimuli : Can I open what I am going to test on the devices I am going to use? Is the stimulus to be tested seen correctly? Video recordings : Are the videos being recorded? Do I have enough disk space for all of them? Is the audio quality good? Is the volume too high or too low? Video and audio connections between the lab and the observation room .

Avoid last-minute experiments in configuration Sometimes you discover that an alternative lab setup can improve the one you have prepared. If the solution you're using works, don't make any last minute changes . Except if you have plenty Brazil Mobile Number List of time to undo everything that's already been done – I'm talking about days, not hours. Even connecting a larger screen in the viewing room can become a problem. If you change the cable connections, take photos so you can return to the initial settings when you need to. Plan a break of between and minutes between the first and second participants A long break between the first and second sessions will give you enough time to fix any technical problems that may have occurred.



In most cases, you won't need that much time. So you can use it to share ideas and feelings about the first session with the observers. Even, if necessary, you can make some changes to the test script. Have a spare setup ready A laptop with the same settings as the computer you are testing will be very useful if your PC crashes and you don't have time to fix it. Likewise, if you are taking a test on a smartphone or tablet, it is advisable to have a second set of devices in case the first one stops working. It is another way to ensure that no technical problems are experienced in the laboratory in usability studies.