# Usability Test Plan

## Study Details

- **Product/Feature:** [What you're testing]
- **Version:** [Prototype / Beta / Live product]
- **Date:** [Test dates]
- **Facilitator:** [Name]
- **Observer:** [Name]

## Objectives

> What questions will this test answer?

1. [e.g., Can users complete the checkout process without assistance?]
2. [e.g., Do users understand the navigation categories?]
3. [e.g., Where do users get stuck in the onboarding flow?]

## Methodology

- **Type:** Moderated / Unmoderated
- **Setting:** Remote / In-person
- **Session length:** [e.g., 45 minutes]
- **Number of participants:** [e.g., 5]
- **Recording:** Screen + audio / Video + screen / Notes only

## Participants

- **Profile:** [Target user description]
- **Recruiting method:** [Panel, in-product, referral]
- **Screener:** [Link or see screener-template.md]
- **Incentive:** [Amount and form]

### Participant Criteria

| Must have | Nice to have | Exclude |
|---|---|---|
| [e.g., Uses competitor product] | [e.g., Mobile-first user] | [e.g., Company employee] |
| [e.g., Makes purchase decisions] | [e.g., 25-45 age range] | [e.g., UX professional] |

## Tasks

### Task 1: [Get-It Test]

> Start with a "get it" test to see if participants understand the product.

**Scenario:** "Take a look at this page. Without clicking anything, tell me: What is this? What can you do here? Who is it for?"

**Success criteria:** Participant correctly identifies purpose and primary actions.

**Metrics:** Accuracy of description (qualitative)

---

### Task 2: [Primary Task]

**Scenario:** "[Realistic context]. [Goal the user wants to achieve]. Show me how you'd do that."

> Example: "You just moved to a new city and want to find a doctor near your new address. Show me how you'd do that."

**Success criteria:**
- [ ] Participant completes the task without assistance
- [ ] Participant completes within [X] minutes
- [ ] Participant takes the expected path (or a reasonable alternative)

**Metrics:**
- Completion: Yes / No / Partial (with assistance)
- Time on task: ___
- Errors: ___
- Path taken: ___
- Ease rating (1-5): ___

---

### Task 3: [Secondary Task]

**Scenario:** "[Context]. [Goal]. Show me how you'd do that."

**Success criteria:**
- [ ] [Criterion]
- [ ] [Criterion]

**Metrics:**
- Completion: Yes / No / Partial
- Time on task: ___
- Errors: ___
- Ease rating (1-5): ___

---

### Task 4: [Edge Case or Recovery Task]

**Scenario:** "[Context that involves an error or unusual situation]."

> Example: "You just realized you entered the wrong shipping address after placing your order. What would you do?"

**Success criteria:**
- [ ] [Criterion]

**Metrics:**
- Completion: Yes / No / Partial
- Recovery path taken: ___

---

## Post-Task Questions

Ask after each task:
1. On a scale of 1-5, how easy was that? (1 = very difficult, 5 = very easy)
2. What, if anything, was confusing?
3. What did you expect to happen when you [specific action]?

## Post-Test Questions

Ask at the end of the session:
1. What was the hardest part of what you just did?
2. What was the easiest?
3. Is there anything else you noticed that you'd like to mention?
4. [Optional: Administer SUS questionnaire — see `references/usability-testing-guide.md` for the 10 questions and scoring formula]

## Usability Goals

| Metric | Target | Minimum acceptable |
|---|---|---|
| Task completion rate | 90%+ | 80% |
| Error-free completion | 80%+ | 70% |
| Average SEQ (per task) | 5.5+ / 7 | 5.0 / 7 |
| SUS score (post-test) | 75+ (B grade) | 68 (C grade, average) |

## Observer Note-Taking Sheet

Use one per participant per task:

| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| **Participant** | [ID] |
| **Task** | [#] |
| **Outcome** | Success / Failure / Partial |
| **Time** | [mm:ss] |
| **Path taken** | [What they clicked/tapped] |
| **Errors** | [Wrong turns, misclicks] |
| **Quotes** | [Verbatim — especially confusion or frustration] |
| **Body language** | [Sighs, squinting, leaning in] |
| **Assist needed?** | Yes / No — [What was said] |
| **Ease rating** | [1-5] |

## Results Summary (complete after testing)

### Task Results

| Task | Completion Rate | Avg Time | Avg Ease | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | _/_ (_%_) | _:__ | _/5 | |
| 2 | _/_ (_%_) | _:__ | _/5 | |
| 3 | _/_ (_%_) | _:__ | _/5 | |
| 4 | _/_ (_%_) | _:__ | _/5 | |

### Prioritized Issues

| # | Issue | Severity | Frequency | Tier | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Critical/High/Moderate/Low | High/Moderate/Low | 1/2/3 | |
| 2 | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | | |
