OK, before we start to discuss that there should always be time to make Usability Testing with Users, let’s assume that usually it’s not about time, it is about the budget.

This types of situation happen, it is a fact. Not every client would like to invest in interviews and prototype testing.

What should we do when we are not able to simply follow the art of UX Design process? Here are a couple of ideas:

Convince Client about the value of testing.

It is common that stakeholders do not understand the reasons for Usability Testing. In their minds, the validation step may be the redundant caprice. They are not acknowledged in UX Design, and it is not their fault. It is our role to show the benefits of Usability Testing.

First, you should try to explain them on some examples. If this will fail, show your experience and the value your previous clients got by validating their solutions.

If that will fail, try to make a quick testing session on your own. The result should be one “quick win” – the improvement that may result in better sales, lower abandoned rate or something different that will have a significant impact on the final solution.

Make Hallway Testing

We all know that coworkers are not usually the end users of the solution. If you work in a software house, you may be surrounded by technologically advanced people – try to find the ones that are not one of them. What is more, if you will find the ones that are not involved in the project you may get some useful feedback.

Prepare a simple prototype made with native Sketch prototyping feature and give them a device to play with the solution. You can suggest a simple task to accomplish and observe the interaction with the prototype.

FFF – Friends, Family, and F… Fellows

If you do not work for a top-secret agency, you are probably able to show pieces of a solution to people who are not employed in your company.

It is good to show them a solution, especially if they are in a potential group of future users. Very often parents are not so technologically advanced – this makes them perfect participants of testing. If they are able to accomplish a task successfully, it will be a good forecast.

If the group of your friends and family is not the focus group of the solution, you may try to ask people you meet in coffee to test a small prototype. Do not forget to buy them a coffee!

Stakeholder Interview

If the client is an expert in a particular discipline. Organize a detailed interview to get as much information as needed about the industry, competitors and habits.

Interview with stakeholder may successfully replace research phase and help to jump right into the design that will be more accurate.

In the other hand, you have to be careful during stakeholder interview, because the experts mind is different than beginners one, and the users may be the group of beginners.

Become Acquainted in the Industry

This is a must have even if you will get the budget for Usability Testing. You have to feel comfortable when you will talk with stakeholders and potential users.

To get some knowledge to learn terms, search for forums, browse websites and apps of competitors. Note valuable information. They will help you remember important stuff when you will create your own solution.

When everything fails – Use heuristics, platform guidelines, and good practices

10 Nielsen Heuristics are good fundament that will make you more confident during design. Thet will help you eliminate lots of potential issues.

Make sure that you will comply with the particular platform guidelines (iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Web, etc.) and good practices of a specific category ( for example commerce or finance).

Summing up

Nothing will replace solid Usability Testing. Validation is an essential part of the UX Design Process. If the stakeholder does not have a budget for real testing, remember about these techniques. They will make your design much better and prevent issues in a real solution.

By the way…

Are you using Sketch? Would you like to design faster and more efficiently? Below you may find some resources that apply various time-saving techniques to help you:

Create User Flows faster in Sketch – With SQUID you can create User Flows directly in Sketch the sketch file with your artboards. Everything may be done within a couple of clicks. See how it works..

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