4.

2: Protocol Memo Due: 11.26

Description: In this second part of project 4, you are writing a progress memo in which you describe
the specifics of the usability test you are going to run for your client. Though, generally, you can and should
follow Krug’s scripts and advice in the book—for each section I expect you to change or add at least one
thing.

• The goal of each section of this memo is to explain both what you are doing and why. As always for
assignment 4, assume that you are writing for a client that doesn’t know much about usability.

1. [Introduction]: What is the purpose of this memo and what does it include? What is the basic test
you will run? What is “think aloud protocol?” What types of data do you hope to collect? What are
the roles each group member will serve? What types of encouragement will you provide and avoid?
What type of technology will you use and why? (Hint: Each team will be required to use a screen
capture program).
2. [Scripted Intro]: What are you going to say when the test starts? What are the demographic
questions you are going to ask? What questions will you ask to gather data about the basic layout of
the site? This actually needs to be a written script that you will read.
3. [Homepage Tour Questions]: What are the basic questions you will ask to get your
participant to start talking about the page.
4. [Design Scenarios]: Give me 2 scenarios as well as a description of the tertiary tasks that each
scenario tests. Describe to me why the scenarios have been designed in the ways they have.
5. [Homemade Method]: Based on the IDEO methods cards (see readings), add a secondary test,
activity, or measurement that your user can do and explain why you feel it is important.
6. [Waiver Form]: Write up a brief waiver form that your test subjects will sign. Have it include a
statement that says what information you will be allowed and not allowed to use and that say they
allow you to video record them.
7. [Calendar]: A timeline of events. When are you going to do your test? What is each person on the
team going to be doing during the test? What are your roles? Whose computer are you going to use?
Where are you going to run the test—are you going to reserve a room somewhere? Does someone
have QuickTime with screen recording on their computer (aka a Mac)? Or do you have access to a
friend who has a Mac (if not, you can sign-up to use my office)? Who are you going to ask to be your
test participants? When will you begin writing the final report? When will the boss have the final
report in his hands?
Notes:
• There is a student example online.
• You will be testing two participants; each test will take around 20 minutes.
• Make this document as specific as you can so that running the actually usability test will be a breeze.
• The majority of the information for this document will be found in Rocket Surgery Made Easy.
• Though this should follow a memo format, generally, this memo is much longer than a typical one.