Stand Back and Watch: The Impact of Ongoing Usability Testing

Abstract

In December of 2013, University of Minnesota Libraries launched MNCAT Discovery, our implementation of Primo + Primo Central, as the Libraries' default search. In May of 2014 we conducted formal usability testing in the University's Usability Lab. Our findings led to user interface adjustments, normalization rule changes, and cases opened with Ex Libris. But we can't afford the time and effort required for such extensive testing as frequently as we would like. So in conjunction with the Libraries' Web Development unit and Web Presence Management Group, we're experimenting with informal "guerrilla usability testing" of our sandbox and production environments. We'll share information about our usability testing process as well as our findings.