Pathwise

Manuals / Basic UX Research Methods / Chapter 2

Build · beginner · ~40 min · Chapter 2 of 3

Usability in an afternoon

5 users, same tasks, think-aloud. You’re hunting friction, not validating your ego.

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Step 1 of 1

Task scripts

Give a goal, not clicks: “Find the refund policy and start a request.” Note where they stall.

Task scriptsDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Task scriptsdrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →
Docs

Do this now

Draft 3 tasks for a 20-minute test.

Pro tip: Recruit people like your users — coworkers who built it don’t count.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • Tasks
  • Think-aloud

Clear these before you leave