Gear light bulb

Q5. Test & Improve Step 1

15. Design Thinking

Design Thinking Process Image with Test and Improve highlighted

                                                                                                     Via canva.com

Prototyping and Testing

On this STEP page you will be learning more about testing a prototype and discover some important TIPS for Testing.

Alpha Testing Gathering feedback from observing and listening to other people interacting with your design. Feedback from alpha testing is mainly used to find problems with the design so you can make sure the design will work properly.

First Iteration: Using feedback from alpha testing to improve the design.

Beta Testing: Gathering feedback from observing and listening to other people interacting with your design. Feedback from beta testing is mainly focused on how much people like your design.

Second Iteration: Using feedback from beta testing to improve the design.

How to Test a Prototype with Real People

Prototyping and Testing

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.

MITECS  Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

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