Limina has several methods for uncovering user interface design issues and optimizing the usability of an application or website. Conducting a UI evaluation is one of the best methods for identifying an actionable set of usability issues based on industry standards and expert evaluation.

We produce presentations and reports that provide insightful descriptions on a set of issues (ranked by severity) along with approaches for addressing these issues. Critique is offered from three perspectives: Visual, Usability, and Interaction. Evaluations can occur at any point throughout a product's lifecycle.

Our evaluation includes, but is not limited to the following areas:

For a more lightweight version of our evaluation, learn more about our Usability Health Check

Usability Testing

"We've made a significant investment in feature enhancements to our product but we are not getting the appropriate metrics on significant user driven enhancements to our product, how do we measure issue prevalence and severity?"

Limina team members have conducted usability studies for over 15 years, built and run usability labs (portable and dedicated labs), as well as presented at conferences and published in journals. Some of the techniques we use are:

• Expert and stakeholder design reviews: Structured reviews of the UI. Although valuable and easier to accomplish that most other methods, the data is not directly from users.
• Formal User Testing: Experiments where individual users are observed attempting to accomplish key tasks with a design, which can be a prototype or completed application. Observers from the product team take notes, and the sessions are typically video recorded. Both quantitative data (time to completion, number of errors, task completed, etc) and qualitative data (subjective satisfaction, ease of use, etc) are captured and analyzed.
• Comparative usability studies: A usability study where the tasks are completed on and compared across two or more products.
• Cognitive walkthroughs: Typically, a structured session in which groups of users are stepped through the interface. Each individual records what they would do next to accomplish a specific task, and then the group discusses.
• Surveys: Structured pathways for customers to submit feedback or answer specific questions. Assumes that users can effectively verbalize their usability input.
• Focus groups: Focus groups do not gather data on how individuals accomplish specific tasks. They can be useful for answering general types of usability questions.
• Contextual Inquiry: Observing the user in their natural context of use in order to understand the detailed tasks within an activity.

Depending on the project, Limina can apply one or more of these techniques to uncover your products usability issues. Our team will work with you to design the evaluation criteria to provide your team with high value analysis and recommendations.

Usability Health Check

"I know our product needs usability improvements, but I am having a difficult time selling the idea internally without a clear understanding of the scope issues that need to be addressed."

A usability health check is a fast and cost-effective method for gauging the overall usability of a product or site. This is an ideal method for companies that need to get an initial assessment of their product's usability within a limited timeframe and budget. This health check is a light version of a UI Evaluation and includes a report documenting a twenty-point evaluation rating the usability of specific aspects of your product. Areas covered in the assessment include, workflow, interaction, look and feel, and consistent use of standards. The scope, or number of criteria in the evaluation, can be tailored to individual needs.

If you would like to learn more about how a usability health check can help benefit your organization, or if you would like to schedule a Health Check, please call one of our office locations or fill out our Health Check Request Form.

Areas included in the assessment are: