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Tutorial #9: Ulabs on the cheap: Usability Labs for Under $1000...Monday, July 8th, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PMKeywordsHardware, Usability method implementation or adaptation, Cost-justifying usability, Usability (lab) testingAudience:Beginner, IntermediateAbstractWith the recent dramatic fall in prices for consumer electronic equipment, a fully functional usability lab is within any company's budget. It will take some elbow grease, but any do-it-yourselfer can now build a lab with video and screen capture for under $1000.Target AudienceBeginner, IntermediateDurationHalf-dayLearning ObjectivesAttendees will walk away with a grasp of how the equipment in a usability lab functions harmoniously to produce usable results. They will understand the role each piece plays in the process as well as be able to make a qualified decision as to what pieces of equipment they need. And most importantly, attendees will walk away with the knowledge and information necessary to build a standard video lab for under $1000.MaterialIntroductionUsability testing is one of the most fundamental methods at our disposal. Not only can it reveal a significant amount of usability problems, but it also helps to create a culture of usability at an organization as managers and developers pile around the television to watch real people wrestle with real software.With the recent dramatic fall in prices for consumer electronic equipment, a fully functional usability lab is within any company's budget. It will take some elbow grease and a willingness to learn, but any do-it-yourselfer can now build a standard lab with video and screen capture for under $1000. This tutorial will help attendees to learn what goes into building a usability lab, what equipment to use, and how to purchase it at rock bottom prices. Attendees will walk away with equipment lists and the instructions necessary to go back to their company and build a fully functional usability lab for very little money and some elbow grease. Topics To Be CoveredAll-in-one Labs vs. Do-it-yourself LabsWe will discuss the purchase of all-in-one labs that come with every piece of equipment you need, software to run it, and support. While most of these labs are out of the budget of this tutorial, it is important to discuss their benefit.One-way Glass Pros and ConsHow important is the formidable one-way mirror? These days, carving a hole in the wall of an, often, leased office building can cost thousands if it's even allowed. We will discuss the pros and cons of having a one-way mirror (hint: we don't have one and we don't miss it).Local Vendors vs. Mail-order housesLocal audio/video dealers charge a higher price for the same piece of electronic equipment than mail-order dealers. Continuing along the do-it-yourself theme, much of this is because local vendors offer some support. One can recognize significant savings if they consider mail order, and we'll discuss how some mail-order houses do offer some support if you know how to ask.Software or No SoftwareThere is software available that will log usability errors and quickly display the video associated with those errors. We will discuss the pros and cons of this type of software.Equipment listThe equipment list will include recent models and prices.Equipment demo and hook-up instructionsKnow the difference between a quad box and a mixer? What is a shuttle control? And how about all those different cables? Included with the tutorial is a guide to hooking up the equipment used for a usability lab, including pictures.Video editingWe will discuss different methods of video editing including on a computer and the on-the-cheap method of using two different VCRS. We will also discuss a method of recording usability tests to make this process much faster and easier.Getting help when you need itDesperate times call for desperate measures. When you're stuck (an we all have been), you need someone to help you. We will discuss ways to obtain that help at a reasonable price.Credit cards vs. PO'sSee that $100 video camera shining in the window? Tempted to pull out your credit card for the good of your employer even though you know you can't get reimbursed? Employees at some companies know the pain of only being able to purchase things with Purchase Orders. We will discuss how even you can obtain reasonable prices *and* still pay with a PO.Audience participation: comments on their own setups and good dealsAttendees will trade ideas, talk about what they have used and what works. This discussion will help to generate a follow up deliverable for the tutorial that includes audience ideas and advice (or past good experiences they have had).Discussion of specific vendorsDiscussion of specific vendors will be limited, although attendees will be shown how to find satisfactory vendors quickly and easily. Commercial vendors of audio-visual equipment and of usability equipment are welcome to sign up for this tutorial but, because of potential bias and conflict of interest, will not be permitted to discuss solutions in which they have a financial interest.ScheduleThe tutorial will consist of a detailed treatment of the above issues, an equipment demonstration and discussion amongst attendees.Presentation (1.5 hrs.)The topics above will be presented to attendees along with a case studyEquipment Demonstration (1 hr.)There will be some equipment set up for demonstration purposes. We will also take this time to discuss individual set-ups with attendees.Discussion and Debate: 45 min.This will be the time for attendees to ask questions, suggest alternative solutions and discuss some of their own experiencesWrap-up (.5 hrs.)Review of main points from presentation and main ideas brought up during discussion session.Materials to be Distributed
Follow-up notes based on tutorial interactionI will send a follow-up document to all attendees after the tutorial containing the results of our discussions and debates within 2 weeks of the tutorial.Maximum Number of Participants30DisclaimerI am in no way affiliated with any organization that sells audio or visual equipment, a/v consulting services or usability labs. I have no financial interest in any entity that provides any of these products or services. I recommend items based solely on price and quality as I experience it myself or as I research it using established quality sources like Consumer Reports.BACKGROUND OF PRESENTERSMichael WoodUsability Engineer Compuware Corporation Voice: 248-737-7300, ext. 14189 Email: Michael.wood@compuware.com Michael Wood joined Compuware in January 2001 as a usability engineer with the Usability and Interaction Design Group (UID). Mike designs interfaces for web-based and GUI applications and employs standard usability methods for evaluation. Mike built a usability lab for the Technology Assessment Center at the University of Michigan as well as building the UID Usability Lab at Compuware Corporation. He earned a Master's degree in Human Computer Interaction from the University of Michigan School of Information and teaches classes at Compuware. Mike consults on usability, is an active member of UPA and is president of a very new local chapter of UPA. |
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