Ux Details : Usability Test and Redesign
I conducted a usability test for Oracle UK in 2004 at their labs in Reading, UK. The test concerned Oracle's JDeveloper 10g diagramming tools.
The benefit of the usability test was to optimise interaction prior to release - to iron out every wrinkle so that the user interface really shines. JDeveloper diagramming tools made the creation of data-based, web applications fast and easy, and so encouraged the adoption of the Oracle database, the company's flagship product. 169,000 downloads on the first day of release suggests we made a good start.
Figure 1. 'Create Application...' dialog
Details
The usability test uncovered many usability issues. One issue is of particularly interest as it shows how the smallest design flaw can sometimes have a disproportionate impact on the user experience. In this example, a single inappropriate default value (two words) caused users to fail a task completely.
In the test, many users were unable to create a UML class diagram, because the option to create this diagram was hidden from them. The option was hidden when users created a new application, and accepted the default 'Application Template' which was 'Empty Workspace'. However, users of JDeveloper rarely create empty workspaces. They are more likely to create databased, web applications using Java. The default value 'Java Application' kept all diagram options available, and so developers were able to complete their tasks.
