Working Title: SMART Technology Assembly
Author: Rudy Arias
Date: August 11, 2010

Subjects: Current project was constructed for internal usage within my existing employer.  Therefore, it was critical to test and receive input from two users within the organization who will intend to use the website on a daily basis. The third user to test the website is not affiliated in any way and was a great choice for not having any prior knowledge of SMART technology assembly. Her strengths in graphic design were crucial for design input.

Think Aloud Task:
Each user was asked to answer the following questions:

• Where can you find the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble an Extron Control Panel?
• When in a specific category of SMART technology assembly, where can you find additional details?
• Where can you find a previous generation of a SMART podium?
• Can you list the basic tools needed for assembling SMART technology?

Summary of Think Aloud
All three test users were able to quickly find the “SMART Control Panel” category (question 1) and identified the scroll bar to find the step-by-step instructions. Question two, lead all three test users to click on the images for a closer look and referred to the individual images for additional descriptions.  Only one test user did not note the Album link where additional images are located for every category. Question three only lead one test user to SMART Links first before realizing “SMART Archives page” hosts the previous generation. Two out of three users were able to answer question 4. One test user referred to the equipment list as tools needed as an alternative rather than actual hand tools needed to build and assemble.

Summary of Post-test Interview

• One test user suggested to add a back button on the Album page because they accidentally closed out of the website.
• One test user suggested to change “SMART Home” to the bottom of the Assembly Categories since it is not a category.
• All test users found the Album page extremely helpful because of the detailed images.

Findings to be Implemented:

• All three test users suggested the upper right name of the website to be a hotspot for the home page as it is common practice.
• Grammar corrections and shorter sentences on step-by-step instructions.
• Changing out one picture in home page to something more “techy”
• Removing staff’s name and replace with official staff title.

Findings that will not be Implemented:

• Changing the background color of the website to match the organization’s colors will not be implemented. Due to inappropriate usage of dark colors for this specific website will not allow text to be read easily.
• Additional images for computer installations. Although the idea is great and add detail, it was suggested by my supervisor to avoid additional images due to security risks for this category.