Prototype Usability

• What we've prototyped:

  • A waste bin with three compartments for recyclable materials, garbage, and compost material.

• The feature(s) we will test:

  • Labels

• What we want to learn about those features:

  • Whether or not users a

re able to differentiate between the three types of waste, focusing on compost in particular

• Who we'll test with (which personas, # of participants we're aiming to engage):

  • Store staff ( 2 people )

  • Consumers ( 10 people )

• The tasks we'll have them carry out

  • A card sorting activity that will allow us to see if users are able to differentiate between compost, recycle, and trash.

• Any open-ended questions we will ask

  • Not Applicable

• Describe how we will score how our prototype does in supporting the tasks (both qualitative and quantitative data)

  • Quantitatively: we will measure the percentage of items respective users put in the correct department, with emphasis on the compost section

  • Qualitatively: analyzing whether the users were able to understand and complete the task with ease and little to no guidance.

Orientation Script

Introduction

“ Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is [NAME], and I am a student working on a project to test the usability of our composting product. Thank you for giving us a moment of your time. Before we begin, I’d like to give you an overview of the process so you’ll know exactly what to expect.”

Disclosures and Informed Consent

“First, we are testing the design and not you. We’re interested in your honest feedback and opinions, and there are no right or wrong answers. Your answers will be confidential and we won’t link your name to anything that we discuss today.”

Guidelines

“To help make this session run as smoothly as possible, please:

• Take your time and don’t overthink this activity.

• Don’t consult any external resources for help (internet, peer, etc.).

Any questions before we begin?”

Warm-up

• “Do you compost at home?

• Have you seen or used a multi-compartment waste bin before?”

Transition to Test

• “You'll be given a series of ten cards with names of items you might discard. For instance, you might get a card with the word “banana peel”. Please place each card into what section of the waste bin that you think it belongs.”

Scenarios and Tasks

1. Card organization

“Using your practice waste items as labeled on the cards, try to organize each item into the correct compartment of the waste bin as you see fit. How would you go about disposing of each of these items?”

Qualitative Questions

1. Was this a simple or complex activity for you and why?

2. Do you feel like you understand which items belong in each compartment?

3. What about this experience could be changed to increase your satisfaction with it?

Closing Discussion

• Closing questions

  • “Do you have any questions for us?”

• Final Thoughts: Do you have any final thoughts or recommendations in regards to this activity?

• Thank you again for your time and participation!