Usability test with task analysis: why is it important

The task analysis is the heart of a typical interface usability test. The representative users of the target are placed in front of a prototype or of the full version of a digital product and are asked to complete tasks. This is how many people manage to complete these tasks (effectiveness), how long they take, how much effort and how many errors they commit (efficiency), what judgment they give at the end of the test (satisfaction).

In the Conflux model, the task analysis produces its best results when it is integrated with eye-tracking studies and interviews, to perform an optimal UX research.

The task analysis is a fundamental step that allows a digital product to be successful because it defines users’ problems precisely. In fact, we cannot imagine solving a problem entirely unless we define it first in a precise and circumscribed way.

Which scenario is the most common usage model for your users? With the usability test, you are able to provide a data-driven answer to this question and optimize your design accordingly.

The usability test allows your company to understand if users can accomplish their goals, corresponding to the “tasks” assigned to them.
Some examples:

• “Try to register for the newsletter”
• “Try to buy a product”
• “Checkout”
• “Login”

This way you can understand how many and which errors they make and how long they take to complete an action on your website, on your app or on your e-commerce website.

The task analysis allows, therefore, to identify, quantify and prioritize the problems faced during the use of software, a website or a mobile app.

We at Conflux support our customers through the use of this tool and help them answer questions such as:

• What are the tasks that put the user in difficulty when using the product?
• Are there any problems or obstacles that the customer faces during use?
• What problems impact transversely all users and which are just a subset?
• What is the average duration of a task? How many errors does the user make on average? Is there any user who declines to carry it out?

It is fundamental to carry out the task analysis when you have a prototype or the complete version of a digital product, so as to help the customer and the design team to frame the problem and to gather the requirements and the needs of the users. By observing the users, their behavior and product interactions, insiders can gather information on how they should structure the site, organize content, produce wireframes, prototypes, usability tests or update the functionality of the analyzed digital product.

Now that you know the advantages that the task analysis can bring to your business, find out how we at Conflux can support the development and design of your digital service or product through the use of this powerful tool and how we can help you increase significantly the ROI of your business.

Our UX boutique agency stands out on the Italian scene for its analytical approach, focused on people and guided by a full awareness of scientific literature. In the Rome laboratory, numerous tests have been conducted in recent years for important international brands in the fashion and fintech sector, integrating task analysis, interviews and eye-tracking studies.

Is your e-commerce not selling enough? Do you think the reason is related to checkout with too many steps for your customers? Do you want to test your digital product before placing it on the market?
Contact us to optimize the user experience of your digital product by aligning it immediately with the goals of your users/customers and your business goals.