Help center usability test template

Observe whether people can find and use guidance for [support need].

Use this template

Editable study draft · English content

Before you launch

Add the help center and sandbox product URLs as appropriate. Choose a need with a known answer and a reversible test task.

Opens a usability study with ordered tasks, post-task questions, and a final debrief. Add your target URL to each task. Screen sharing is enabled and the moderator observes without providing task hints. Success criteria below are a guide for your review, not automatic grading rules.

Participant tasks

  1. Task 1

    Find guidance

    You need to [support need]. Find guidance that could help.

    Researcher success criteria

    Participant reaches a resource that addresses the defined need.

  2. Task 2

    Use the guidance

    Use the guidance to [reversible action] in the test account.

    Researcher success criteria

    Participant completes the defined action using the resource.

  3. Task 3

    Seek more help

    Imagine that did not solve your problem. Find how you would contact someone for help, but do not send a message.

    Researcher success criteria

    Participant locates an appropriate contact route without sending anything.

After each task, ask what was difficult and what the participant expected to happen. The study also includes a task-ease rating.

Final debrief

  1. What, if anything, was different from what you expected?
  2. Which part of the experience would you change first, and why?

Plan your study

Who should take part?

People likely to seek help for [support need].

What should I customize before launching?

Add the help center and sandbox product URLs as appropriate. Choose a need with a known answer and a reversible test task.

How should I use the findings?

Separate finding a relevant article from understanding and applying it. Record when people switch to seeking human help.

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