The design response to usability test findings: a case study based on artifacts and interviews

Usability testing during product development has gained wide acceptance as a strategy for improving product quality, but it is difficult to find published studies that actually document the impact of usability test findings and recommendations on product design. This case study examines a usability test that was done during the development of a software feature and is based on the usability test artifacts and interviews with people who were involved in designing, developing and implementing the software feature. We attempt to determine if and how the recommended changes from the usability test were implemented, to identify other changes made to the feature being designed, and to determine the source of those other changes. Based on our findings in this case study, we can say that the usability test findings and recommendations had a great impact on the design of the feature and the design was also influenced by seven other sources.