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Usability Testing
Overview
People in the field of usability test products or documents to ensure
that they are as user-friendly as possible. Usability specialists
spend a lot of time in meetings with product developers discussing
changes that should be made to make products more usable. They also
spend a lot of time designing and administering tests, writing reports,
and persuading developers to make certain changes.
Work Environment
Most usability specialists work in an office setting, usually conducting
usability tests in a lab. Many testers also must travel to client
sites to conduct tests in the users' workplace. Some testers able
to work from the home, in which case, there is more traveling involved.
Outlook and Trends
The job market for usability is growing rapidly, especially in the
computer
industry.
Earnings
According to the CHI Salary Survey of usability testers, the average
gross salary (before bonus, benefits, and taxes) in 1997 was $77,900.
Training and Qualifications
Usability specialists come from a number of different backgrounds.
Many have backgrounds in psychology or computer engineering. Other
backgrounds include human resources, communications, or other technical
fields. The most important quality for the usability specialist
to have is a concern for the user's needs. Usability specialists
must also have good written and oral communication skills as well
as analytical skills.
The following are electives and cognates available
to MAPC students that will help tailor a degree towards this career:
ENGL 834: Usability Testing Methodologies in
Professional Communication
IE 801: Design and Analysis of Human-Machine Systems
IE 802: Design of Human-Computer Systems
INED 847 (HRD 847): Instructional Systems Design
MBA 845: Technology and Innovation Management
MKT 630: Marketing Product Management
PSYCH 635: Human Factors
PSYCH 822: Human Perception and Performance
PSYCH 835: Advanced Human Factors
PSYCH 837: Ergonomics for Applied Psychology
Job Search
The following are possible job titles in the usability field:
Usability Tester
Human Factors Engineer
Usability Engineer
Usability Specialist
Information Designer
Usability Consultant
Computing Information Systems Analyst
Human Computer Interactions Specialist
Employers
Many industries are now hiring usability testers to work within
their company, especially the computer industry. There are also
usability firms that hire out usability specialists to companies
to test certain products.
Sources of Additional
Information
Society for Technical Communications
http://www.stc.org
Usability Professionals' Association
http://www.upassoc.org/index.html
Usability Methods Toolbox
http://www.best.com/~jthom/usability/
Primary Sources:
1998 CHI Salary Survey
http://www.acm.org/sigchi/chi98/survey/
list.cgi
ZDNet Developer's webpage
http://www.zdnet.com/devbhead/stories/articles/0,4413,2293289,00.html
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