What are the best practices for conducting Usability Testing for virtual and augmented reality?

1 Plan your objectives and scope

Before you start testing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. VR and AR are immersive and interactive technologies, so you need to consider not only the functionality and usability of your product, but also the user experience and emotional impact. You also need to define the scope of your testing, such as the type of VR or AR device, the environment and context, the tasks and scenarios, and the duration and frequency of the sessions.

2 Recruit and screen your participants

Finding the right participants for your VR and AR usability testing can be challenging, as you need to balance the representativeness of your target audience with the availability and accessibility of the technology. You also need to screen your participants for any factors that might affect their performance or comfort, such as motion sickness, vision problems, or medical conditions. You should also inform your participants about the potential risks and benefits of participating, and obtain their consent and feedback.

3 Design your test protocol and materials

Once you have your objectives, scope, and participants, you need to design your test protocol and materials. This includes the instructions and questions you will give to your participants, the tasks and scenarios you will ask them to perform, the data and metrics you will collect, and the tools and equipment you will use. You should also prepare a script and a checklist for your moderator, who will guide and observe the participants during the test. You should test your protocol and materials beforehand, and make any necessary adjustments.

4 Conduct your test sessions

When you are ready to conduct your test sessions, you need to ensure that your participants are comfortable and engaged with your VR or AR product. You should set up the test environment and device, and calibrate them according to the specifications and preferences of each participant. You should also brief your participants on the purpose and process of the test, and ask them to think aloud as they perform the tasks. You should monitor and record their actions, reactions, comments, and feedback, and intervene only when necessary.

5 Analyze and report your findings

After you have completed your test sessions, you need to analyze and report your findings. You should review and organize the data and metrics you collected, and look for patterns, insights, and issues. You should also compare your findings with your objectives and expectations, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your VR or AR product. You should then summarize and present your findings in a clear and concise report, with recommendations for improvement and further testing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?