A New Purpose; A New Design: Welcome to the Usability.gov Re-boot
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Usability.gov’s re-boot not only has a pioneering new design; it also reflects our new, expanded purpose. Learn more about the reboot. Read More
View ArticleGetting the Guidelines Up-to-Date
Monday, August 5, 2013 Updating the Guidelines is an important part of the reboot of our Usability.gov Program. We’re creating the process and want to know how you’d like to see it take shape. Read More
View ArticleOne Site Fits All: A Responsive Solution
Monday, August 26, 2013 Responsive design is often the most effective solution to provide a positive experience for users accessing information from a growing variety of devices. Learn more at...
View ArticleConsent & Recording Release Form (Minor)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Use this form to document a parent/guardian's consent to have a child or young person, less than eighteen years of age, participate in testing and have that session...
View ArticleConsent Form (Adult)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Use this form to document a participant's consent to participate in testing. Read More
View ArticleConsent Form (Minor)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Use this form to document a parent/guardian's consent to have a child or young person, less than eighteen years of age participate in testing. Read More
View ArticleConsent Form: Remote Usability Test (Adult)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Use this form to document a participant's consent to participate in a remote usability test session. Read More
View ArticleIntroduction to Testing with Moderator Interaction
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 An example of how to welcome and prepare participants for their test session, explain the purpose and explain the roles during the session. Read More
View ArticleReceipt Form: Usability Test Compensation (Minor)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 A receipt to document that a minor child has received compensation for testing. To be competed by the parent or guardian in attendance for testing. Read More
View ArticleReceipt Form: Usability Test Compensation Receipt Form (Adult)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 A receipt to document that a participant has received compensation for testing. Read More
View ArticlePlanning a Usability Test
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 A usability test plan documents what metrics you are going to capture, the number of participants you are going to test, and what scenarios you will use. Read More
View ArticleRecruiting Usability Test Participants
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Recruit usability test participants who represent you target users. Although you may have multiple potential users groups, try to include each. Read More
View ArticleRunning a Usability Test
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Conducting a successful usability test requires you to have a test plan ready, participants recruited, and moderation technique decided on. Read More
View ArticleReporting Usability Test Results
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Reporting usability test results should focus primarily on your findings and recommendations that are differentiated by levels of severity. Read More
View ArticleWith Measurable Usability Goals – We All Score
Thursday, September 19, 2013 Setting measurable usability goals, focused on how users complete top tasks, helps your team to assess the performance of your site. Read More
View ArticleUser Research Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 User research focuses on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis, and other feedback methodologies. Read More
View ArticleProject Management Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Project management focuses on planning and organizing a project and its resources. Read More
View ArticleUser Experience Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 User experience (UX) refers to the quality of the user’s interaction with and perceptions of a system. User experience design requires a deep understanding of users. Read More
View ArticleAccessibility Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Accessibility relates to how a disabled person accesses or benefits from a site, system or application. Section 508 is the governing principal; it requires that all government...
View ArticleWeb Analytics Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Web analytics is the collection, reporting, and analysis of website data. Read More
View ArticleInteraction Design Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Interaction design focuses on creating engaging interfaces with well thought out behaviors. Read More
View ArticleUsability Evaluation Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Usability Evaluation focuses on how well users can learn and use a product to achieve their goals. It also refers to how satisfied users are with that process. Read More
View ArticleInformation Architecture Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Information architecture (IA) focuses on organizing, structuring, and labeling content in an effective and sustainable way. Read More
View ArticleUser Interface Design Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 The goal of User Interface (UI) design is to anticipate what users might need to do and ensures that the interface has elements that are easy to access, understand, and use to...
View ArticleVisual Design Basics
Monday, October 7, 2013 Visual design focuses on the aesthetics of a site and its related materials by strategically implementing images, colors, fonts, and other elements. Read More
View ArticleWidgets and Badges
Monday, October 7, 2013 Connect your users with user experience best practices and resources. Add a usability.gov widget to your website, blog, or other site. Read More
View ArticleAbout Us
Monday, October 7, 2013 Usability.gov is the leading resource for information on usability and user-centered design. Find out more about linking to site resources, citing as a source, and contact...
View ArticleTour the Site
Monday, October 7, 2013 Usability.gov is focused on your needs by providing the information and tools to create usable, responsive, intuitive, and accessible online experiences. Read More
View ArticleBenefits of User-Centered Design
Monday, October 7, 2013 Find out why doing user experience work is worth the time and resources. Learn how to measure and communicate your success. Read More
View ArticleCreating a User-Centered Approach in Government
Monday, October 7, 2013 Agencies improve the quality of their information and services by embracing a user-centric approach. They also save money long-term through focusing on iterative improvements....
View ArticleUser-Centered Design Process Map
Monday, October 7, 2013 The user-centered design process is composed of several methods and tasks related to website development.The type of site you are developing, your timeline and the environment...
View ArticleInformation Collection and Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Overview
Monday, October 7, 2013 To avoid overburdening the public with federally sponsored data collections, the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires that federal agencies obtain Office of Management and...
View ArticleFast-Track Clearance Process for Information Collection
Monday, October 7, 2013 The Fast-Track Clearance process is one of the two processes for obtaining PRA clearance. Collections submitted for Fast-Track clearance do not require a 60-day Federal Register...
View ArticleTraditional Clearance Process for Information Collection
Monday, October 7, 2013 The Traditional Clearance process is one of the two processes for obtaining PRA clearance. Traditional Clearance Process requires a 60-day Federal Register notice. Read More
View ArticleHHS Usability Lab
Monday, October 7, 2013 HHS operates two usability labs that are free of charge to other federal agencies. Learn more about the lab set-up, how to make a reservation, and planning a test. Read More
View ArticleDigitalGov User Experience Program
Monday, October 7, 2013 GSA’s DigitalGov User Experience Program, formerly the First Fridays Usability Testing Program, is a twice-monthly demonstration project aimed at teaching agency staff how to...
View ArticleCreating Cross-Channel Experiences
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Ensuring a valuable and consistent user experience across all channels helps build credibility and trust in your brand. Read More
View ArticleContent Strategy Basics
Friday, December 13, 2013 Content strategy plans for the creation, publication, and governance of useful, usable content. Content not only includes the words on the page but also the images that are...
View ArticleUsability: What a Project Manager Needs to Know – Part 1
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Find some helpful tips for a project manager to know about usability when managing a technical project plan. Read More
View ArticleUsability: What a Project Manager Needs to Know – Part 2
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Part two of a blog series sharing helpful tips for what a project manager would need to know about usability when managing a technical project plan. Read More
View ArticleDetermining Goals, Needs & Resources for Building a Usability Lab – Part 1
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 Building a usability lab, whether you are new to the field or leading a team, can be quite an undertaking. We’ll take a look at determining organization and client needs,...
View ArticleDeciding if You Need a Dedicated Usability Lab – Part 2
Thursday, October 16, 2014 Nothing beats the convenience of having a dedicated usability lab but do you really need one? We provide scenarios to help you decide whether a fixed lab is the right move...
View ArticleConstructing and Equipping a Lab – Part 3
Monday, December 1, 2014 With a designated space, a mix of equipment, and some practice, you can begin to collect usability data in your own time and on your own turf. Read More
View ArticleUsability Testing with Kids and Teens
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Working with children and teens can be an enlightening experience. You can learn so much about how young people reason, think, and express themselves. Read More
View ArticleColor Basics
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 A color wheel is an illustrative model of color hues around a circle. It shows the relationships between the primary, secondary, and intermediate/ tertiary colors and helps...
View ArticleWelcome to the Reimagined HHS.gov
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Learn more about the improvements HHS made to HHS.gov to help users find the information and resources they need faster and easier. Read More
View ArticleRecruiting Participants & the Legend of “The General Public”
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Recruiting the correct participants for your test is worth the effort and the benefits show not only in your results, but also in the acceptance of your recommendations by your...
View ArticleUSDA Invites You to Reimagine the National School Meals Program Application
Monday, February 8, 2016 USDA challenges others to redesign and reimagine the National School Meals Program Application. Read More
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