The use of usability tests for mobile devices cuts development costs and allows the design of easy to use, friendly and intuitive interfaces.

Designing small, simple and efficient interfaces

Mobile market growth has led to a significant development of specific applications for these devices. This market is also known for the simultaneous existence of a variety of platforms, and users with clearly defined profiles – such as corporate users.

This interesting and complex framework creates the need to develop applications tailored to the specific needs of each type of user, platform and device.

Our test for mobile devices is a powerful tool to improve users’ interface designs in the process of developing a mobile application.

Our methodology

The method used for mobile device usability basically consists of the following stages:

• Identify profiles of users that will participate on the tests.
• Define the tasks they will be required to perform with the application.
• Perform test using the “thinking out loud” method.
• Analyse the results, categorize the resulting usability conflicts according to profiles, type of conflict and seriousness.
• Report test results and improvement suggestions.

The benefit of applying this type of test is the development of friendlier, more intuitive and easy to use interfaces.

The implementation of usability tests during the development process of an application will also cut the time needed for adjustments, corrections and changes needed as a consequence of a user's bad experience.