Usability Study
A usability study is a technique used to evaluate a product by testing it on users. Usability studies help demonstrate if a product is on the right track or if the design needs to be adjusted.
Why it matters
Teams cannot test their own product — they know too much to get lost. Watching one real person struggle with a flow you thought was obvious replaces weeks of internal debate, which is why a small study early beats a big one late.
The numbers
- 5 users — enough to surface most usability problems (Nielsen)
- Think-aloud — the classic protocol: narrate while you work
Related terms
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