User Insight
We take a user-centred design approach, where we test the quality of our output by capturing evidence-based customer feedback.
We see the web as a place where users go to complete tasks and achieve goals that matter to them. So we think about users’ unique behaviours, environmental constraints, primary goals and tasks, and about what tools, functionality and overall digital experience will best meet their needs.
We always confirm user research goals with you before proceeding. We maintain your confidentiality by ensuring any draft products are password protected and can only be viewed at the time of testing.
We strongly recommend you attend and observe user research activities so you can build empathy with end users and gain a deeper understanding of their needs. This helps your key stakeholders make informed decisions throughout the project.
We make sure participants feel at ease, in control and secure that their opinions and details will be treated in the strictest confidence. If we are outsourcing participant recruitment, we do so using formal agencies who pride themselves on participant and client confidentiality.
Techniques we use
Qualitative and quantitative research
We employ a range of methodologies to provide user feedback to clients, including tree testing, surveys, interviews, usability observations, focus groups and workshop presentations. Our outputs include tree test findings and recommendations, personas, journey maps, user stories as requirements, and usability findings and recommendations.
Channels and format
We’re experienced in carrying out user research in person, by phone or by video conference, which means we are technically proficient in circumnavigating any constraints imposed by channel. We test on a range of devices, prioritising mobile when it is the most likely device to be used for the product in question.
Custom analysis
We use industry tools to analyse findings but in the case of qualitative research, we also take a hands-on approach by writing extensive notes, drafting custom spreadsheets, extracting primary themes and mining raw data for insightful quotes. We then present our findings and recommendations to the project team, who evaluate them and decide which suggested enhancements to implement.
Ongoing measurement and benchmarking
Some clients value regular user feedback on their developing product, setting the scene for effective continuous improvement. We offer benchmark testing to provide this feedback. Benchmarking makes sure that your product performs optimally. While usability and customer satisfaction are useful metrics, we’ll also incorporate other relevant metrics as needed, such as analytics, system performance and speed of task achievement.
Case study
The Electoral Commission decided to split its web offering into two sites, elections.nz and vote.nz. We conducted iterative usability testing of the two sites, the digital enrolment application, and boundary review and voting place mapping tools with Māori, Pasifika, new and established voters, and users with low literacy.
Our activities included participant recruitment; test goal-setting, scripting and facilitation; analysis and presentation of findings and recommendations. We created personas, user stories and current and future state journey maps based on stakeholder input.