Usability Test – To take my usability test, please do a document markup while performing the task in the instructions. As you read through the instructions, make note of any areas that you find to be confusing or inaccurate. An easy way to make notes on my documents may be to print them to Microsoft OneNote 2007. To do this, go to File > Print. Then select “Send to OneNote 2007” as the printer. Marking the document in red text will make it easier for me to find your corrections. Also, please answer the attached survey questions. Then attach the marked up document and your answers to the survey questions in a comment/reply to this blog post. Feel free to add extra comments too. Thank you!
My first concern is that my instructions may not address every question that the user may have. Secondly, my screen shots may not show everything that the reader needs to see. At this point, I think that the drafts are somewhat close to being ready for final draft submission, but I'm open to editing some of the content as needed. I like the overall format, so I don't plan on a huge overhaul of my documents. I will add text as needed and replace any unclear screen shots. My plan is to review the comments from those students that take my usability test and make any corrections that I feel are necessary for an effective set of instructions.
Instruction Sets – The first thing you may notice is the difference in paper size between the two instruction sets. They are formatted this way because the Novice set is meant to act as a new user guide (like an “Excel 2007 for Dummies” book), and the Experienced set is meant to be more of a quick reference guide that can easily be stored in a desk. Once somebody has read the Novice instructions a few times, it is my intention that they should be able to move on to the Experienced user guide (instead of trying to conveniently store a book near their computer). The Novice set also includes many more screen shots and tips to give the reader more detail, as well as more white space to give their eyes a break between steps. The Experienced set gives less detail, as the user should already know how to perform basic steps in Excel. The pages also have less white space, because I thought that an experienced user would prefer a smaller guide that quickly gets to the point. My intent is to give each user a complete set of instructions that account for any questions that they may have. Obviously the Novice user will need to have many more questions addressed, hence why I tried to give more detailed instructions. However, I’ve used Microsoft Excel for many years now, and it would be very easy for me to overlook some questions the audience may have.
The format of the graphics is also different. The Novice user has relatively square graphics, which are meant to give a broader view of the screen in the vertical direction so that they can see which menus and tools are being used. The graphics are also larger, allowing the text to be more easily read. The Experienced set of instructions, however, has widescreen shots. The format of the document leaves little room for tall graphics, so the wider images are meant to fill some of the space in the column and give the reader a broader view of the spreadsheet in the horizontal direction. The graphics are smaller than those found in the Novice guide, and the text may be harder to read, but I expect that an experienced user will be able to understand what is going on despite these differences.
Testing
Which instruction set did you review? Novice or Experienced?
I went with the Novice set. I am not too bad with Excel but I haven’t made a histogram since sophomore year of high school.
Did you have trouble finding any menus or tools within the program? If so, which ones?
No trouble at all. Your screenshots made it really easy to find everything I needed. I also had to install the add-in; it might be worth noting in the novice set that if this was not originally installed, that it needs to be and to proceed with the installation. I imagine an “expert” would figure it out.
Were the important areas of my screen shots easy to read, or was the text too small or illegible?
Your images were very helpful. The arrows and highlighting made it hard to miss anything. I did notice on Figure 9 that the bottom line explaining the Control-Shift-Enter was cut off.
Were my steps clear enough for you to implement the necessary Excel formulas and functions?
I had no trouble following the steps and keeping track of my progress. I was a little confused with the Control-Shift-Enter part to propagate the function. I followed the steps and it turned out fine but wondered if that was the same as dragging the corner of the cell down.
Were there any areas in my instructions that included too much text or white space?
It seemed like there was quite a bit of scrolling but I am also incredibly impatient. With the images and amount of information needed I don’t see how you could condense it much more.
Can you identify any areas that may have made you bored or frustrated?
They were pretty clear and too the point. I did notice when making the histogram that my graph did not show up as a white box. Excel highlighted some data it thought was important and made its own bar graph. Knowing a little bit about Excel, it was easy to fix.
If you were looking for a particular step, would it be easy to find without reading through all of the instructions?
I really liked your layout. It was easy to follow and look back on. It looked like a design that Microsoft would actually use for their help menus.
Did you successfully complete the histogram?
Yes sir, not a problem.
Ill test this
Ill test this
Usability Test
Which instruction set did you review? Novice or Experienced?
For my testing I reviewed the expert set of instructions.
Did you have trouble finding any menus or tools within the program? If so, which ones?
Nope, throughout the course of using your instructions I encountered no issues finding any of the menus or tools.
Were the important areas of my screen shots easy to read, or was the text too small or illegible?
I had no trouble reading any of your screenshots. I really like how you had enlarged them, so that they were clear and legible.
Were my steps clear enough for you to implement the necessary Excel formulas and functions?
The only issue that I ran into was in step 2. I had not previously installed analysis pack but while following your steps Excel prompted me asking if I wished to install it. Since this was the expert instruction set, I assume that your audience would be able to figure this process out.
Were there any areas in my instructions that included too much text or white space?
I feel that you did a good job of balancing your white space and text. This balance allowed the instructions to be effective while not being overwhelming.
Can you identify any areas that may have made you bored or frustrated?
Page 3 was not necessarily boring or frustrating to me but it might frustrate or bore some people. You might wish to add some text in between the two screenshots.
If you were looking for a particular step, would it be easy to find without reading through all of the instructions?
Yes after I completed going over your instructions, I was able to go back and look up specific steps without having to read through the instructions.
Did you successfully complete the histogram?
I sure did.