Field Notes
Field notes are new to me. They are typically used by professionals such as engineers and scientists to track important information as they work. In the context of user research, field notes can be used to note observations and collect data during a project. During the Usability Testing class for the Todo mock, I compiled the following field notes for various activities we did in the class:
Five-second test
Observations
We asked 12 class participants to evaluate the effectiveness of a simple Todo mock. Their first thoughts about the usage were as follows:
It is probably something for adding tasks
Used for an organized list of tasks
Making a note of todo items
Several aspects of the mock were liked, and specific features were highlighted, including:
Simple to use
Minimalist (too minimalistic)
Some of the recommendations for improvements included:
A title describing the functionality would be useful
The light color complete button confusing
A check box for completed tasks would be nice
Inference
The 5-second test gave us the effectiveness of the Todo app, its messaging and overall appeal. Based on the initial feedback, the UX researcher can look at improvements.
Heuristics
Definition – A heuristic analysis aims to identify usability problems and issues that may affect the user experience and hinder the overall usability before carrying out the usability testing.
The following guidelines are known as heuristics and were first introduced by Jakob Nielsen:
Visibility of system status
Match between the system and the real world
User control and freedom
Consistency and standards
Error prevention
Recognition rather than recall
Flexibility and efficiency of use
Aesthetic and minimalist design
Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
Help and documentation
The survey results showed mixed bags of yes and no responses for various criteria for the Todo mock.
These are the findings of my Heuristic survey done in class.
Reflection
Pre-Test: I use a to-do list very often. I use it every week to add my to-do things. This helps me stay organized and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I check off the items on my list.
Post-Test: The usability testing taught me how to add and sort the tasks. I use post-it to make my to-do list more often than using an app. After the usability class, I am inclined and confident about using it on my phone.
The field notes came in very handy while reiterating the entire process.
Design mockup Todo list 2.0
A set of recommended heuristics and improvements were identified during a five-second test. To implement them, a mockup was created with the help of Microsoft’s GitHub Co-pilot (similar to ChatGPT or Brad), a code completion tool. The following is a sample interaction with the co-pilot prompt for adding the strikethrough functionality for the Todo app. Unfortunately, the entire history cannot be exported from the browser.
The resulting application includes a range of features, such as displaying tasks as a list of checkboxes, indicating completed tasks with a strikethrough, and editing or deleting tasks as needed. Moreover, users can clear all tasks at once or search for specific tasks using a search bar. Additionally, users can change the order of tasks by moving them up or down on the list or adding new tasks through audio input.
The mockup was designed using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and is currently hosted on W3Schools. By providing users with a range of features that optimize task management and productivity, this application has the potential to enhance workplace performance and efficiency.
