Important Items to Keep in Mind
REMOTE, UNMODERATED USABILITY TESTING
Data accuracy equates to credibility. Listen, re-listen, watch and re-watch recordings to pick-up on both expressed issues and those that can be viewed through the user’s task completion methods.
Design with research in mind. Have a good understanding of major tasks, mental models, opportunities and the like.
Know the mission. Be sure to gain a clear understanding of the client's mission.
Accept feedback. Insight from outside sources can help push us beyond our personal boundaries and create the best experience for our users.
Do not lead the user. While we want the answer to be correct, we want the user to find the answer on their own. Tasks are crafted to allow the user to provide answers to the tasks and to collect their unique answers, which can always provide additional insight unknown prior to testing.
Plan for the unexpected. Recruit extra participants; you never know what may come up, prohibiting them from participating. Prepare for technology glitches and the like with your equipment and supplies. Prepare to mitigate UI issues relating to testing — prior to launching testing, test the test yourself. Example: Because this was done, instructions included the request to download a Chrome Extension.
Always provide a clear justification for your case. Show value in your results and how it would relate to the client.
Save time and money. Proper research can also potentially prevent spending unnecessary dollars, dealing with unsatisfied users, extended timelines, and so forth — that is, if the issues are caught in time during the UX process. Advocate for additional testing.
Iteration is the word. The creative process is never complete.