User trials
User trials are a way to test out a design on a sample of the intended user population. As just about every project, user population and context is unique, it’s inevitable that guidelines cannot provide all the answers, and it’s here that an iterative approach comes to the rescue.
By designing simple mock-ups on the basis of the ergonomics tools that are available, you can test assumptions you’re making in quick user trials at an early stage. As the design is refined, options for more sophisticated prototyping are increasingly available, allowing rapid user testing before committing to a final design. Running user trials demands a set of skills. There is a need to communicate with the user sample, undertake the tests in a controlled and consistent way, and measure and record results systematically.