Often usability refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process. It is also the study of the principles behind an object’s perceived efficiency or elegance. The qualitative attributes which define an object, interface, device or document and the assessment of how easy they are to use and qualify them as actually being “useful.”
The preferred method for ensuring usability is to test actual users on some aspect of the working system. The most basic and widely known method for studying the usability of something is called user testing.
This kind of testing or research is also a great way to ensure your own assumptions don’t get in the way. Better yet, some of the best design strategies will come directly from the users themselves.
Of course, usability research doesn’t come without some rules and risks. Asking your brother-in-law and the guy in the cubicle next to you doesn’t qualify as research. It must be conducted on a large enough sample of people that matter, ideally your target audience, to generate reliable findings. And because there’s nothing people enjoying giving more than their opinions, be prepared to do some sifting in search of the consistent and persistent perspectives that will ultimately provide the foundation for a successful design strategy.
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