Discuss Log usability tests like a pro

Nice article, and all true.

I used to come out of usabiltiy studies with half a notebook of notes. I soon learned that this was useless - the next day would be spent flicking through this mess of notes aimlessly looking for patterns and trends.

We recentley started data logging with Morae on every study. It is very efficient. We also schedule half hour breaks in between participants and distill the notes from the last test into 5 - 10 key findings / fixes. This keeps us disciplined and helps to avoid having pages and pages of notes to sift through.

I agree that video taping ensures that you don't miss observations but takes long time to assist afterwards. So your xls table would be a good solution to have time for taking more notes during the test session. But I still see a problem that video always avoids: when there are several user test facilitators, they may still skip an observation because they only hear it once/twice; while this observation may be important considering the whole user tests sessions. With video, you can mix the facilitators/watchers, when they are many.

For one single facilitator anyway, you solution is very good. Tx for sharing your excel file :-)

Great template! Thanks for sharing!

I have just been roped in to do my first ever usability test note-taking at 12 hours notice. This post is a Godsend! Thank you Userfocus!!!!!