NOTE: This set of instructions is too large to upload to this site. I zipped the PDF and uploaded to another site. The link to download is posted below .
http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/433/Beginner_instruction_draft.zip
When performing the usability test, I would like to user to make notes along the way. Are there places of confusion? Is some of the language hard to understand?. I would like the user to think about these questions (as seen in the usability test) as they go through the instructions.
Jeremy, I know you asked about the document size... The paper size I chose is similar to that of a cook book.
The expert instructions have less images, less detail, and uses different language. It is tailored to someone who is familiar with cooking and some of the terminology. I did not lay out every single step because this user will have a general idea of the process, the instructions are merely a guide for this specific recipe. I also included a trick that is used in kitchens and is usually learned at this users skill level. I even gave an optional step that will take the process to a higher level of difficulty.
The beginner instructions were written to give an inexperienced user a complete guide to this process. Selection of meat, seasoning, and the equipment needed is outlined. A step-by-step guide is given with pictures along the way to show what everything should look like. The idea here was to have good instructions and then have a picture for reference. I also chose to use a meat thermometer in this set because a beginner might not know what finished meat will look or feel like. Again, the simpler, more basic approach.
Do it up.
Usability Test
Preparing a Fillet
This usability test is a document markup. I would like you to use my instructions and give me feedback as you go through them. Please use the questions and feedback section below to help me make my instructions more clear.
1. Is the general layout easy to follow and or find the information you need?
The layout is very easy to follow. The pictures look great. I’d suggest placing “doneness” tests to the beginner instructions, just so the beginner can be exposed to it and begin to learn how to use it.
2. Is the language used appropriate and clear?
The language is appropriate and the instructions define everything that needs to be known.
3. Do you understand the two methods used within this process?
Yes. There’s not a lot of difference between the two, but it is easy to tell which is which.
Feedback- Please use this section to add any additional comments, difficulties, etc. you have about the instructions.
I really like these instructions. They look great. The only part I think would cause a problem is where you tell the beginner to cook the fillet until the desired temperature is reached. Maybe adding some temperatures in the instructions would help the beginner know how long to cook the fillets. I also agree about the beginner not always having a food thermometer, so an alternate could be a good addition.
Usability test
Usability Test
Preparing a Fillet
This usability test is a document markup. I would like you to use my instructions and give me feedback as you go through them. Please use the questions and feedback section below to help me make my instructions more clear.
1. Is the general layout easy to follow and or find the information you need?
I think the setup works fine for the expert version but the novice should probably have the steps numbered out or some other means to be able to look away from the instructions for a little while and easily step back in.
2. Is the language used appropriate and clear?
Yes. You keep the mood light but still appropriate by using, but not overusing conversational tone and a joke or two.
3. Do you understand the two methods used within this process?
Yes. It’s very obvious to tell which set of instructions goes with which class of user.
Feedback- Please use this section to add any additional comments, difficulties, etc. you have about the instructions.
I like the little extras that are put into the expert version (the palm trick and using the juices). It looks a lot to me like the way a cookbook would put it together by being sectioned off but still within the reading although the one about the juices could probably use the same thickness border as the palm trick for standardization sake. I also thought the use of a meat thermometer was a good idea for the novice but I would go over an alternative to it as most people would not likely go out and purchase one. I know if I had a novice cooking a fillet for me that I would rather have a cut in my meat with some flavor lost rather than a chunk of coal. Overall the instructions work properly but just need a little bit of revision to make them flow better, well done.
Shane