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Learning Objectives

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Learning Objectives

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Now · 1. The Test Phase

Learning Objectives

Plan and conduct effective user tests
Gather actionable feedback
Iterate based on test insights
Week 5: Prototype ready for testing
Access to target users

1. The Test Phase

Purpose: Get feedback from real users to validate and improve the solution. Testing is iterative - each test informs the next prototype. Key Principle: Test WITH users, not ON users. You're learning together.

2. Testing Best Practices

Test with actual target users (not colleagues, friends, or family)
Let users experience the prototype without your explanation (see if it's intuitive)
Observe what they do, not just what they say (actions reveal more)
Ask open-ended questions: "Tell me what you're thinking as you use this"
Don't defend your prototype - you're testing the design, not yourself
Focus on what didn't work (that's where learning is)

3. Iterative Testing Cycle

Prototype -> Test -> Learn -> Refine -> Prototype (repeat) Each cycle should be FAST (hours or days, not weeks). Number of iterations depends on complexity and how much learning each test generates.

4. Feedback Capture Grid

Like	Wish
What worked well	What could be improved
Questions	Ideas
What's unclear	New ideas from users

Q1: What is the purpose of user testing?

Validate assumptions, discover usability issues, understand user reactions, gather ideas for improvement. Testing reveals what's wrong with your solution that you can't see yourself. Q2: Why test with real target users?

Real users have the actual context, needs, and behaviors that the solution must serve. Friends/colleagues are too nice or not representative, leading to false confidence. Q3: What is the "think aloud" protocol?

Users verbalize their thoughts as they use the prototype. Reveals their mental model, expectations, confusion, and reasoning. More informative than just observing actions. Q4: How do you know when to stop iterating?

When testing reveals no critical issues, users can accomplish tasks successfully and independently, and feedback is primarily about enhancements rather than fundamental problems. Q5: What is the feedback capture grid?

4-quadrant template: Like (positives), Wish (improvements), Questions (unclear aspects), Ideas (new ideas). Structured way to synthesize test feedback. Join Discord PreviousPrototype PhaseNextDouble Diamond Framework