Could you answer this question: “Are my customers able to use my product correctly?”.
The question may seem simple but the answer is extremely complex, a product that for someone is easy to use, for someone else may present some difficulties.
How can we verify the “ease of use” of a product?
When designing a new product, it is essential to also think about how it will be used and therefore to assess its usability. But, what is usability? Defined by ISO 9241 as the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which certain users achieve certain goals in particular environments, it aims to define the degree of ease with which a product is used.
Usability is therefore relevant during the design and all phases of a product study, such as:
- Creative stage: marketing and market research
- R&D stage: product development
- Control stage: product review
- Go-to-market stage: broader evaluation of the user experience
Why is it important to design a usability study?
It is important to assess:
- the instructions readability during the product first used;
- the correct use of the product, thus minimise the risks and undesirable consequences resulting from any errors in use;
- the ease of memorising the instructions for use, especially for products that do not require frequent use;
both during and after use/maintenance.
How do our experts set up a usability study?
Based on the device’s instructions for use, they investigate:
- correct understanding of instructions/steps of use
- effectiveness
- efficiency
- usefulness
- storage capacity
- device security
- ergonomicity of the device
- accessibility by different categories of users
In any case, it is necessary to interview the right person! In order to address all needs, Mérieux NutriSciences has set up a dedicated database, including specialists and professionals in the field, as well as home users.
Which products can be tested in our labs?
The Sensory Department of Mérieux NutriSciences has gained experience in the evaluation of electronic devices and household appliances, including kitchen appliances, household cleaning appliances, personal care appliances, leisure devices (entertainment, headphones, tablets…).
Our new booths
The laboratories have 6 dedicated booths to perform usability tests!
The structure allows a further relevant aspect in the use of a device to be verified: noise. Our booths have standardised dimensions (2×1.8×3 m) and allow absolute reproducibility and reliability of the data collected!
The air recirculation inside ensures that normal odour neutrality is restored quickly, thus maximising the efficiency of each booth and allowing the evaluation of several products at the same time and the direct comparison of several samples.
Our advantages in a nutshell
- Ability to compare multiple products simultaneously
- Maximum standardization of evaluations
- Air-recirculation
- Reliability of data collected
- Ability to perform tests with trained panels of judges and/or with consumers
- Reduction in analysis time and cost
