Testing is the systematic evaluation of a design or product to determine whether it meets user needs, works efficiently, and satisfies relevant visual, usability, or business requirements. It is part of an iterative process: findings can send the project back for refinement rather than treating launch as the final step. section 1.2.1
Choose the testing approach by first clarifying what you need to evaluate:
- Evaluate visual design when the concern is how the finished interface looks. section 11.2
- Evaluate usability when the concern is whether people can use the live design effectively. section 11.2
- Test during iteration, after building the experience, and again after launch when continued updates or business checks are needed. section 1.2.1 section 11.2
A one-off marketing website
After launching a small marketing website, verify that it functions and meets the business requirements. If it does not, refine the work and repeat the process; a client may take responsibility for this ongoing testing and evaluation. section 1.2.1
Figure 1.3 The iterative process this book covers for a web design or web application project—from identifying the problem to user research, user experience design, design and build phase, and test and evaluate
Use the process diagram to place testing and evaluation after design and build, while preserving the loop back to earlier decisions when results reveal problems. section 1.2.1
