4.

2: Protocol Memo

Due: 12.1

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 Krugs scripts and advice in the bookfor 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 doesnt know much
about usability.
1.
2.

[Memo Format]: See: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=73

[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 given a
camera/voice recorder and will be required to use a screen capture program).
3. [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.
4. [Homepage Tour Questions]: What are the basic questions you will ask to get your
participant to start talking about the page.
5.

[Design Scenarios]: Give me 2 scenarios as well as a description of the tertiary tasks that

each scenario tests. Describe to me how the scenarios have been designed in the ways they have.
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 testare 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?

There is a student example online.

You will be testing two participants; each test will take around 45 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 .