As the lead researcher, I was responsible for preparing the test, conducting the sessions, analyzing the collect data, and presenting findings to the leadership team

I planned and conducted 10 usability tests of the mobile app with our target users: middle-aged women who frequent estate sales. Tests were performed in a makeshift lab using Lookback.io for screen-sharing and recording purposes. We watched them find an item and participate in a virtual auction. However, it was in the introductory interview where we learned more about the attitudes and behaviors that illuminated the WHY behind what we observed.

I built a spreadsheet that included over 250 quotes or “data point” from the interviews. Just as you might organized post-it notes into affinity clusters to identify themes, I review and tagged the data to uncover key themes and design guidance for the team

As part of data analysis, we reviewed and annotated recordings of the tests which in in turn became valuable artifacts in and of themselves. For instance, our recommendations included a link to a video with supporting evidence so that stakeholder could observe user issues firsthand and from the source. A ten-second clip of some colorful user language is worth 10x more than me in front of the room delivering a polished report.

Auctioneering is game; the winner knows how many others are playing and what cards they are holding. Participants struggled to find analogous information about an auction, including (1) confirmation of what they’re bidding on; A bid history and current winner, and the total cost when bidding

The asynchronous bidding in online auction forces participants to pay close attention to when things change. Participants described being out and about and checking in quickly to see if they still have the highest bid throughout the day. This context of use was not widely considered or adequately addressed in the app. We suggested ways to level the playing field such that that the occasional bidder in line at the grocery store is not be at a disadvantage relative to the professional one at home watching three screens.

Location helps bidders determines shipping costs or whether they can pick up the item themselves. It also affords bidders the opportunity to personally inspect an item before purchasing it. Do not make location information as hard to find as it currently is. Better still, we recommended that total costs (shipping + bids) be given more prominence on the product detail and bidding pages