Services
If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts;
but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties.
- Sir Francis Bacon
Understand the needs and goals of customers and users.
People who are developing or customizing a product almost always have
questions about their customers and users. Don't guess! Usable Future
can get the information you need with:
- Customer questionnaires
A list of questions that asks customers and/or users about their
needs, goals, workflow, work environment, etc.
- Focus groups
A facilitated gathering of existing or potential customers or users.
They are asked to discuss their needs and wants in regards to a
particular product, service, or system.
- Contextual studies
A technique where users are interviewed and observed as they
work in their existing environment. This technique can capture
information about how people really work. This is probably the
most powerful way to learn about a user's needs.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of current products, services,
and systems from the user's perspective. "Is our product
better than our competitor's?" "Why do potential customers
leave our website without buying anything?" "How can we make
this easier?" Usable Future can help answer such questions with:
- Heuristic reviews
A critique of the user experience, product, or system as it currently
exists. Usable Future will try the product, and provide a summary
of the good and bad. This is a quick, inexpensive way to get an
objective view of the strengths and weakness of a product.
- Usability studies
A technique where 8 to 12 users individually try out a product
or prototype. Often, the user's interaction with the product is
recorded. This kind of testing can uncover and demonstrate problems
in a way that a heuristic review cannot.
Design user interfaces and experiences that address the needs
and goals of the user. Usable Future can help with techniques
such as:
- Storyboarding
A narrative description of the user's interaction with a product,
service, or system. For software this technique usually includes
screen mock-ups that illustrate each step in the interaction.
- Rapid prototyping
The iterative development of a user interface coupled with frequent
reviews and usability studies.
Communicate solutions to decision-makers or developers. Usable
Future can create anything from a PowerPoint presentation for key executives
to complete specifications for the engineering team. We will help get
everyone on the same page!
Not sure where to start? Just contact us. Usable Future can put together
a plan to suit your project's stage, nature, and budget. Initial consultations
are always free of charge.
