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Briefing each user with the specifics above, we asked them to complete the tasks as thoroughly as they can. They were provided the username and password of Mary Smith to access her account and execute the tasks listed above. In order to conduct these tests with live feedback, we used google hangout and screen-sharing to see what they were doing. This allowed us to see exactly what they were doing on the screen as they completed the tasks. Also, we were able to immediately communicate with one another if necessary. Below is a collection of the main problems and observations users had with the interface.
User 1
- (Recognition, Learnability) Slightly confused with wording on "Add event to calendar for:"
- (Usability, Readability) Wrong type of input for time, was not familiar with default format.
- (Efficiency, User control) Preferred Typeahead vs. Dropdown to select drivers Dropdown vs. Typeahead for driving to/from sections with even tile.
- (Consistency, Learnability) Confusion between different the differences of "reach outs (middle send request?)
- Confirmation of selected contact (by highlighting?)
- " used, modal from dropdown vs. middle car button.
- (Feedback, Aesthetics) No confirmation of having a selected contact, perhaps fixed by highlighting.
- (Feedback) Indication of reaching out status (asked/responded)
- Different calendar views (month/weekly - zooming)
- , not known who has been asked or has responded.
- (Aesthetics, User Control & Freedom) Not being able to toy with different calendar views, zooming in/out with month/weekly view.
- (Feedback) No notification Notification of event creation to immediately see conflict.
User 2
- Time input not efficient
- Time goes from 12/24 hour format
- Typing in (Efficiency & Usability) Using text field to enter time/date not working well due to formatting issues.
- (Consistency & standards) The 24-hour mode of the text fields for time is inconsistent with the 12-hour mode for popups.
- (Help & Documentation, Feedback) When selecting Clicked driving button within event tile, not knowing it sends out requestsknown if requests successfully sent.
- (Feedback) List of Show people already requested is not shown/visible.
- (Aesthetic, Recognition) Colors "clash" among children for event tiles.
- (Recognition, Learnability) Didn't know could add multiple people for "Add event to calendar for:"
User 3
- Calendar navigation (Efficiency, User Control, Affordances) Multiple ways to navigate calendar (vertical tabs vs. above , buttons, minical)
- (Consistency, Visible Navigation ) Minical not available on all monitor sizes.
- (Learnability) Confusion with names acting as filters
- Bugs with time: if minical is used for input on modals, don't allow typing
- corresponding to calendar filters
- (Usability, Error Handling, User Freedom) Input for time on some modals are disabled if selected from minical or not correct if manually typed in wrong format.
- (Feedback) Need confirmation Confirmation button when selecting time
- Order (Consistency & Standards) Listing of children alphabetically
- (Learnability) Confusion about a multi-children event
- (Visible Navigation, ) Sudden flipping of tabs when advancing to next day on last day of week seems extreme
- (Safety) Can't change driver back to unassigned once selected
- Prefers there and back rather than to and from
- (Recognition, Usability) Not intuitive car button within event tile is reach out
- Switching of (Standards) Not used to from/to customary format (Prefers there and back)
- (Feedback) Wants highlights contacts once selected and doesn't prefer checkboxes
- Doesn't like underline on hover
- Don't list letter if no entry
- (Safety, Defaults) Close button on modals look disabled
- (Feedback) Confirmation on sending a message modal
- (Internal Consistency) Inputs on modals do not inputs have same justification (left or /center/right)
Discussion
Pros
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All users liked the calendar representation of the application.
- Change of color when once driver assigned within event tile (Color coordination)
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Potential solutions and Moving forward
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Most of the problems resulted from the non-accustomed layout of representing a calendar in the application. Users were more familiar with large calendars with days represented as blocks rather than pages on a
There were also some latency, error handling
- fix time input
- refreshing can be jarring as it shifts to current day
- Picture of car going in/out of building to represent to/from
- highlighting selected contacts
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