Q5. Test & Improve: Refining
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Prototyping and Testing
On this page, you will learn more about testing a prototype and discover some critical Testing tips.
Alpha Testing: Gather feedback by observing and listening to others interact with your design. Feedback from alpha testing is mainly used to find problems with the design, so you can ensure the design will work properly.
First Iteration: Using feedback from alpha testing to improve the design.
Beta Testing: Gather feedback by observing and listening to others interact with your design. Beta testing feedback mainly focuses on how much people like your design.
Second Iteration: Using feedback from beta testing to improve the design.
Play the two videos on this page to learn more about prototyping and testing.
How to Test a Prototype with Real People
Direct link (4.49 min.)
Prototyping and Testing
Direct link (4.02min.)
Tips for Testing
- Define clear testing questions.
- Create clear and specific research questions.
- Engage a mix of participants.
- Having unbiased people from different demographics can give more unique perspectives on your design.
- Don’t lead participants or influence their responses.
- Don’t over-explain or explain what testers should experience from your prototype. This creates bias and influences the responses they give you.
- Collaborate and communicate.
- Work as a group to design the testing process and communicate findings throughout.
Competencies & Standards
MITECS Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and
4. Innovative Designer
a. Know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems
c. Develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process
d. Exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems
Websites and Documents
Websites
Videos from Outside Sources
- Giving Feedback YouTube (1:58)
- How to Test a Prototype with REAL people: User Testing a Functional Prototype YouTube (4:50)
- Innovation 101 YouTube (4:02)
21t4s Videos
21t4s Documents & Quizzes