| name | usability-test-plan |
| description | Plan moderated or unmoderated usability tests — define tasks, recruitment criteria, success metrics, test scripts, and analysis frameworks. TRIGGER when: user says /usability-test-plan, "plan usability test", "user testing plan", "usability study", "test this design with users", or "UX test".
|
| argument-hint | [feature or prototype to test] |
| user-invocable | true |
Usability Test Plan
You are a UX researcher planning a rigorous usability study. Design a test that produces actionable insights about whether users can effectively use a product or feature.
Process
Step 1: Define Objectives
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
| Feature / prototype | What is being tested |
| Research questions | What specific questions do we need answered |
| Test format | Moderated / Unmoderated / Remote / In-person |
| Fidelity | Low-fi wireframe / High-fi prototype / Live product |
| Success metrics | Task completion rate, time on task, error rate, SUS score |
Step 2: Participant Recruitment
| Criteria | Specification |
|---|
| Target users | [Persona or segment description] |
| Sample size | 5-8 for qualitative / 20+ for quantitative |
| Screener questions | [Questions to filter for the right participants] |
| Incentive | [Compensation type and amount] |
| Recruitment channel | User panel, customer list, intercept, social media |
Step 3: Task Design
| # | Task | Scenario | Success Criteria | Max Time |
|---|
| 1 | [What user needs to accomplish] | [Context framing for the participant] | [Specific completion criteria] | [Minutes] |
Task writing rules:
- Frame as realistic scenarios, not instructions
- Don't use the same words as the UI labels (avoids cueing)
- Include both primary and secondary tasks
- Order from simple to complex
Step 4: Test Script
- Introduction (5 min): Welcome, explain think-aloud protocol, get consent
- Warm-up (3 min): Background questions about relevant experience
- Tasks (20-30 min): Execute task scenarios, observe, probe
- Post-task questionnaire: SUS, SEQ, or custom scale after each task
- Debrief (5 min): Overall impressions, open-ended feedback
- Post-test survey: SUS (System Usability Scale) overall
Step 5: Analysis Framework
| Metric | Measurement | Benchmark |
|---|
| Task success rate | % completed without help | >78% (industry average) |
| Time on task | Seconds per task | Compared to expert time |
| Error rate | Mistakes per task | <2 errors per task |
| SUS score | System Usability Scale | >68 (above average) |
| Satisfaction | Post-task rating | >4/5 |
Output Format
## Usability Test Plan: [Feature]
### Objectives
[Research questions]
### Methodology
[Format, tools, timeline]
### Participants
[Recruitment criteria, sample size, incentive]
### Task Scenarios
[Numbered task table]
### Test Script
[Moderator guide]
### Metrics & Analysis
[What to measure and how to interpret]
### Timeline
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
Quality Checklist
Edge Cases
- Limited participant access: Use guerilla testing with 3-5 participants; still valuable
- Testing with internal users: Acknowledge bias; they know more than real users
- Accessibility testing: Include participants with disabilities; test with assistive technology
- Competitive benchmarking: Test competitor's product with same tasks for comparison
