Sustainable Usability Testing - good for the pocket and the world

The average usability testing project leaves a footprint of approximately 250 kilograms, or 0.25 a tonne of CO2. That may not seem much but it is close to the CO2 emitted during a 3 hour flight.

Usability testing is universally seen as the best way to improve a system's ease and satisfaction of use. If one usability test emits the equivalent of a 3 hour flight, there clearly are considerable gains to be made! In an ordinary usability test, someone travels from their location to a laboratory or office where they interact with a test facilitator. Normally this takes about an hour and the process is repeated with 7 to 10 people.

In tougher economic conditions and with more demanding project schedules, there has been a strong movement towards the use of web-based tools to conduct remote usability tests. These tools make the most of the Internet by enabling the test participants to stay at home or in their office and complete their tests through the web browser. Remote testing and research have considerable cost savings but also result in a higher participation rate and much quicker feedback.

On World Usability Day (November 12) the focus was on sustainability. One of the biggest gains that usability professionals can make for sustainability is to conduct more remote testing. While it does not completely replace in-person tests, remote testing is an excellent way to give designers rapid, cheap insights that also benefit the environment.

Optimal Workshop, a leading provider of remote testing tools celebrates World Usability Day by providing a bundle of tools at half the normal price. Other popular providers include Ethnio, 5 Second Test and Usertesting.com


Footnote:
The carbon emission for a usability testing project is based on an average of 10 participants, with each participant traveling 20 kilometers return to get to the test and spending 1 hour with the test facilitator.

Associated Link: Review or order the Optimal Workshop World Usability Day Bundle

'Internet addiction' linked to Depression
Source: BBC, 9 February 2010
 
There is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression, UK psychologists have said.

Could *You* be more Usable?
Source: UN, 8 February 2010
 
Bet you could.

Stowe Boyd on 'Steampunk' thinking about the Future of Computing
Source: Stowe Boyd's blog via Experientia, 6 February 2010
 
Are established metaphors of user experience holding us back from new ways of structuring our interaction through computers?

Nokia's User Experience Programme
Source: UN, 5 February 2010
 
Nokia has put together a rich and informative website covering the key elements of user experience.

Interfaces magazine: latest issue available now
Source: HCI News Service, 4 February 2010
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available in pdf format, free from the Interaction Website.

A Lighter Brigade of Chargers
Source: UN, 3 February 2010
 
Lots of gadgets, one charger. At last.

Mobile Touch Screens could soon Feel the Pressure
Source: MIT Technology Review, 2 February 2010
 
A quantum switch could add pressure sensing to mobile screens.

Usability, Usability, Usability: why the iPad will Succeed
Source: Econsultancy, 1 February 2010
 
The tech critics love it, hate it, love it again, shrug it off. What do usability experts say?

British Airways - at last some good news
Source: Loop11, 30 January 2010
 
In a recent website usability study for the world's leading airlines, the British Airways website proved to be the most user friendly, with Malaysia Airlines and Virgin Atlantic having the lowest user experience rating.

Computation of Emotions in Man and Machine
Source: Royal Society, 29 January 2010
 
Advances in computer technology now allow machines to recognise and express emotions, paving the way for improved human-computer and human-human communications.