Usability testing is a type of software testing which tests a software application on level of usability or easiness that an end user will have in using the application under test.

During usability testing, the end user is monitored by the tester or researcher, for ease of their task completion, any issue or problems being faced.

Usability testing involves monitoring the end user, usage of software application under controlled condition for improving the usability of the application.

Vskills provides learning and assessment with Government certification on usability testing at link -  https://www.vskills.in/certification/testing/usability-testing-certification

Usability testing in software testing is a type of non-functional software testing which focuses on analyzing the ease with which end users can use the software application under test.

There are various factors which affect the end result of usability testing like skill level and knowledge of end user, number of users for testing, etc.

Usability testing in software testing plays an important role especially for end user experience and acceptance by end user.

Vskills provides learning and assessment with Government certification on various software testing at link - https://www.vskills.in/certification/testing

Usability testing is done similar to other software testing i.e., by following steps -

·         outlining objectives

·         prioritizing aspects to test or focus on

·         developing test cases

·         recruiting candidates as end users as per laid down criteria

·         executing test cases by noting, recording and documenting relevant information

·         analyzing test results

Usability testing is examining the end user, use the software application and understand problems faced and issues to resolve for better usage.

The purpose of a usability test is to analyze and point out potential usability bottlenecks is using the software application. Usability test aims to understand the end user interaction and any issues being faced by end user.

A usability test ascertains the ease in usage of the application and gives inputs for improvement in application usage by the end user. A usability test involves observing the end user while, application is used by the end user.

A usability assessment is activity to gauge the ease of usage of the application by the end user. Usability assessment is conducted under controlled conditions, as per laid down criteria. A usability assessment includes application of various analytical and statistical methods like A/B testing , surveys, etc, to understand the level of ease of usage of application and ease of learning by the end user.

The different types of usability testing are the different tools, techniques and aspects being tested under usability testing. The different types of usability testing are as

-          Validation Testing

-          Summative Test

-          Verification Test

-          Exploratory test

-          Benchmark testing

-          A/B testing

-          Accessibility testing

-          Compatibility testing

-          Eye tracking test

-          Beta testing

-          Website usability testing

-          Mobile usability testing

Yes, usability testing can be functional testing if we validate the functioning of the application against the functional requirements only.

But, usability testing focuses on customer experience and ease with which they can learn and use the application.

Hence, though usability testing is not functional testing but can be used as functional testing if desired.

There are many usability tests which should be tested. But as per the objectives and goal to test for, number of usability tests can be determined accordingly.

Number of usability tests to conduct depends upon various factors, which usually include

-          Time to prepare and conduct usability testing

-          End user available for usability testing

-          usability testing for speed or time to complete tasks

-          usability testing for functionality ease like how easily user learns new features

5 or five test users in a usability study are usually considered as the optimum number of users but the number of users may vary as per application to test and criteria/ goal of testing

The four phases of usability testing in order from start to finish

·         outlining objectives and prioritizing aspects to test or focus on

·         developing test cases

·         recruiting candidates as end users as per laid down criteria and executing test cases by noting, recording and documenting relevant information

·         analyzing test results

Usability criteria is the criterion used to measure the ease of learning and using a application under test. Usability criteria involves conducting various types of usability tests for the usability criteria, which are

-          Validation Testing

-          Summative Test

-          Verification Test

-          Exploratory test

-          Benchmark testing

-          A/B testing

-          Accessibility testing

-          Compatibility testing

-          Eye tracking test

-          Beta testing

-          Website usability testing

-          Mobile usability testing

Usability means the ease of using or learning a man-made device / service / software application.

In software testing, usability testing is conducting test cases by watching end users, use the application to understand learning ease and usage ease. Usability testing includes testing of various types of tests like for compatibility, accessibility, etc

Testing is verification and validation of a product or service, as per laid criterion and to know the level to which it confirms to the laid criterion.

The different types of testing are as per classification criteria like test levels ( unit/integration) testing to be done on (UI/function) or what to test (load test / stress test/etc)

UX usability refers to User Experience usability and it focuses on getting user a good experience, with ease.

Usability is concerned with making it easy for end user to learn and use the application.

UX focuses on delighting the user in using the application before, during and after using the application.

To write a usability test plan, the steps are as

·         outlining objectives and goals with discussion with stakeholders

·         prioritizing aspects to test or focus on

·         short listing metrics for the test plan

·         creating usability test plan

·         developing test cases

The difference between usability testing and user acceptance testing is as

-          usability testing focuses on ease of learning and usage of the software application whereas user acceptance testing focuses on meeting user requirements as outlined by user before development.

-          usability testing has a scope of user experience and performance by users whereas user acceptance testing is specific functional testing as per defined requirements

-          usability testing involves end users and user acceptance testing involves QA team

Usability testing is a type of software testing which tests a software application on level of usability or easiness that a end user will have in using the application under test.

Usability testing involves monitoring the end user, usage of software application under controlled condition for improving the usability of the application.

The difference between usability and user experience, is as

-          usability focuses on effectiveness, efficiency and learnability whereas, user experience focuses on satisfaction, enjoyment and pleasure.

-          usability is about ease of use/ intuitiveness and ease of learning whereas, user experience is about appealing and fun to use

-          usability is minimizing steps to do a task whereas, user experience is about making an emotional connect with user

-          usability testing focuses on what and how user do, whereas user experience testing focuses on what user feel

Reliability testing tests the software application for time period for which error free operation is given by the application under test. An example is to test an application for specific time duration for availability and functionality.

Steps to perform usability testing

·         outlining usability testing objectives

·         prioritizing aspects of usability testing, to test or focus on

·         developing usability test cases

·         recruiting candidates as end users as per laid down criteria for usability testing

·         executing test cases by noting, recording and documenting relevant information

·         analyzing test results

Treejack testing is a technique, used as a part of usability testing to check how easily a topic is found usually on a website. Treejack testing checks the website structure or website tree.

Steps to conduct user testing

·         outlining usability testing objectives

·         prioritizing aspects of usability testing, to test or focus on

·         developing usability test cases

·         recruiting candidates as end users as per laid down criteria for usability testing

·         executing test cases by noting, recording and documenting relevant information

·         analyzing test results

Functional testing is black box testing, as specific input or output is tested.

UAT functional testing expands to User Acceptance Testing. UAT is the test done by end user before accepting the software and changing to the new software. UAT is done after all other types of tests have been done like unit / integration / system, etc.

UAT functional testing focuses on testing functional aspects of the software application against the listed requirements.

5 or five participants in a usability test is enough and are usually considered as the optimum number of users but the number of users may vary as per application to test and criteria/ goal of testing

Formal usability is a type of usability testing which has defined instructions to be followed for testing. Formal usability is needed for complicated software which needs to be tested for detection and removal of usability defects

Following guidelines must be kept in mind when testing usability, are as

-          Determination of test goals should involve all stakeholder

-          Proper documentation of all steps should be done

-          Scenarios to be tested should have specific relevance

-          Test cases should be executed as per priority

-          Do not influence or assist users during testing

-          Feedback should be recorded with a neutral stance

-          Bias should be avoided

Alpha Testing is performed before Beta Testing. Alpha Testing is done to find bugs before software release to end users.

Beta Testing follows alpha testing. Beta Testing is done to find errors but at end user.

Usability testing is performed by end users but in controlled environment which is being observed and recorded by testers or researchers.

Sanity and smoke testing are types of software testing which are applied on software build but in different stage of software development.

Sanity testing is done at later stage of software development, when the software build is stable and checks software for new features being added, and bugs have been resolved.

Smoke testing is done in earlier stages of software development when the software build has many errors, to detect the correct working of crucial functionality.

Black box testing is a type of software testing which focuses on input and output from the software application under test without considerations of how the output was generated. Black box testing example is functional testing of the software application which checks for proper working of functionality of  software application without considering how function is done.

The principles of usability are

-          Focus on user profile

-          If needed make software application, accessible

-          User interface of prime importance

-          Make the interface easy to comprehend and controlled by end user

-          Focus on color being used

-          Typography should be considered

-          Group related tasks for ease in access and remembrance by end user

Usability testing is important as it can spot issues in

-          usability of the software application

-          making the software application more effective and efficient in usage

-          ease of learning by existing and new users

-          garner quick adaptation by the end user

The usability requirements refer to the defined requirements for usability by end user. The usability requirements is specified in various formats like specific sheet, wireframe, UI design, etc The usability requirements are essential to develop and test the software application for usability.

Yes, usability testing certification is at link - https://www.vskills.in/certification/testing/usability-testing-certification

Vskills offers following deliverables

-          Online video based, e-learning LMS

-          Hard copy to candidates residing in India

-          Practice tests for assessing your knowledge

-          Government certification

-          Vast alumni strength working in reputed software companies like Accenture, Cognizant, IBM, TCS, etc

Yes, link to practice usability testing skills is at link - https://www.vskills.in/practice/usability-testing-questions