usability-frameworks

# Usability Frameworks

Comprehensive frameworks and methodologies for planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests to improve user experience.

## When to Use This Skill

**Auto-loaded by agents**:
- `research-ops` - For usability testing and heuristic evaluation

**Use when you need**:
- Planning usability tests
- Conducting user testing sessions
- Evaluating interface designs
- Identifying usability problems
- Testing prototypes or live products
- Applying Nielsen's heuristics
- Measuring usability metrics

## Core Concepts

### What is Usability Testing?

Usability testing is a method for evaluating a product by testing it with representative users. Users attempt to complete typical tasks while observers watch, listen, and take notes.

**Purpose**: Identify usability problems, discover opportunities for improvement, and learn about user behavior and preferences.

**When to use**:
- Before development (testing prototypes)
- During development (iterative testing)
- After launch (validation and optimization)
- Before major redesigns

### The Five Usability Quality Components (Jakob Nielsen)

1. **Learnability**: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time?
2. **Efficiency**: How quickly can users perform tasks once they've learned the design?
3. **Memorability**: Can users remember how to use it after time away?
4. **Errors**: How many errors do users make, how severe, and how easily can they recover?
5. **Satisfaction**: How pleasant is it to use the design?

## Usability Testing Methodologies

### 1. Moderated Testing

**Setup**: Researcher guides participants through tasks in real-time
**Location**: In-person or remote (video call)

**Best for**:
- Early-stage prototypes needing clarification
- Complex products requiring guidance
- Exploring "why" behind user behavior
- Uncovering emotional reactions

**Process**:
1. Welcome and set expectations
2. Pre-task questions (background, experience)
3. Task scenarios with think-aloud protoco