Process
The five-step usability testing process
A five-step process for running any usability test, whether it is moderated, unmoderated or AI-moderated. Start from the decision the test will inform, pick a method, write realistic tasks, watch people try them without help, then rank what you found by severity and frequency. Koji can run the sessions as AI-moderated voice interviews and group the findings into themes.
Where this appears
What's in this process
- Define what success looks like: Write down the decision the test will inform, 3 to 5 measurable success criteria and who you are testing with.
- Choose the right method: Moderated, unmoderated, AI-moderated, in-person or hallway: pick the one that fits the flow and the scale.
- Write tasks, not questions: Keep tasks realistic and goal-based. Never give away the path, the button name or what you hope to see.
- Run the test and let people struggle: Don't help. Ask why when someone pauses or backtracks, and write down their exact words.
- Code findings by severity, then act: Tag each friction point with severity, frequency, evidence and an owner.
Use this image
Free to use in your docs, decks and posts under CC BY 4.0, as long as you credit Koji with a link to this page. To embed it, paste this into your page:
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<a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/usability-testing-process-five-steps"><img src="https://www.koji.so/visuals/usability-testing-process-five-steps/usability-testing-process-five-steps.png" alt="Process showing the five steps of a usability test: define success, choose a method, write tasks, run the test and code findings by severity." width="1200" height="739" /></a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/usability-testing-process-five-steps">The five-step usability testing process</a>, Koji</p>
