Usability Analysts spend a majority of their time evaluating digital interfaces such as websites, software applications, machinery, or other products. “Usability,” can be broken into 5 components: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors (recovering quickly from errors), and satisfaction. It’s the analysts’ job to ensure these 5 components are achievable from the user’s perspective.
However, a Usability Analyst’s end goal is to increase customer satisfaction. In turn, increasing customer satisfaction encourages users to spend more time on the firm’s site, purchase more, and/or utilize more services.
What does a Usability Analyst do, typically?
Evaluates user interactions
The evaluation process ensures that users can learn the interface quickly and effortlessly – and appreciate using it. The Usability Analyst documents what’s working well and what’s not along the user experience journey.
Conducts studies
Using specialized software and real users, analysts will measure how usable or intuitive a product or website is for customers to reach their goals. Analysts may use software like Axure, Intuition HQ, Verify App, Usabilla, and more. Types of testing may include Problem Discovery, Benchmark, Eye Tracking, Learnability, and more.
Presents findings & makes recommendations
After analyzing user study data, the Usability Analyst presents the findings to stakeholders and cross-functional teams. Then, the analyst makes recommendations to resolve the issues discovered in testing.
Usability Analysts are not UX Designers
Usability Analysts are not focusing on making the user’s task meaningful. Usability Analysts are working to help make the experience easy and intuitive. They also remove roadblocks and minimize the steps needed to complete tasks. Whereas, User Experience designers are focused on making the experience valuable for the customer. UX design attempts to begin fostering an emotional connection to the product.
Important metrics for a Usability Analyst
- Completion rate
- Number of errors
- Time-Based Efficiency
- Overall Relative Efficiency
- Performance & Perception Satisfaction