Carolyn A. Uhl, Ph.D.
Researcher
Project 3: Valley Dairy App
This project began with a hierarchical task analysis in order to gain insight regarding the interface's navigation and the steps required to complete each task. Next, I conducted a cognitive walkthrough of the app, where any issues users might face as they attempted to navigate through the interface were noted. User testing sessions were then completed in order to get an idea of how users experienced the interface. I noted common themes across testing sessions and compiled a cohesive report to submit to the client. The content within the app was reorganized using affinity diagramming techniques. Lastly, taken all of the information gathered into consideration, I conducted a heuristics evaluation using Jakob Nielsen's 10 usabilitly heuristics for interface design.
I then completed a hierarchical task analysis, consisting of both written steps and a decomposition diagram, which involved focusing on decomposing a high-level task into subtasks. This allowed me, as a researcher, to better understand the interface's navigation and the steps required of the user in order to successfully complete each task.
Hierarchical Task Analysis,
with Decomposition Diagram
Next, I conducted a cognitive walkthrough of the app, where any issues users might face as they attempted to navigate through the interface were noted.
Valley Dairy Cognitive Walkthrough
I completed user testing on the existing Valley Dairy website in order to gage how users interacted with the interface and to gain insight from directly from users as they completed tasks within the app. This allowed me to note problems faced by users, as well as users’ likes and dislikes about the existing interface. I used this information to complete a report, which was presented to the client.
Sample from User Testing Report
The content of the app was grouped in an organized and cohesive manner.
Affinity Diagramming
All of the information gathered into consideration, I conducted a heuristics evaluation using Jakob Nielsen's 10 usabilitly heuristics for interface design.
The original website was analyzed using Jakob Nielsen’s 8 out of the 10 heuristics for User Interface Design. The original website was successful for the following heuristics: user control and freedom, recognition rather than recall, and aesthetic and minimalist design.
The original website was unsuccessful for the following heuristics: visibility of system status, match between system and the real word, consistency and standards, flexibility and efficiency of use, and help and documentation.
Heuristics Evaluation--Valley Dairy App
I complied a brief report summarizing all findings on the existing Valley Dairy app, which was presented to the client.
