Michael Gough - Web Usability

This is a final presentation I gave to my clients at the end of the project.

This is the final presentation given to the VIPEr leadership highlighting problems with the website. Notice how I systematically found and prioritized problems based upon the goals of the site, likely user scenarios, industry standard heuristics, and how the users interacted with the site. I noted the bugs users found and collected survey data on their experiences. Based upon this information I offered recommendations for improving the site. Download the full PowerPoint file with audio.

VIPEr Usability Study

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VIPEr Web Usability Project

As part of a project for a usability evaluation class, I worked with IONIC (Interactive Online Network of Inorganic Chemists) to conduct a usability study of their website VIPEr. VIPEr creates an online community for inorganic chemists to share teaching and learning resources with colleagues at different institutions.

I first conducted a usability inspection in which I used industry standard heuristics, or rules, to determine possible problems with the site. Next I asked 13 potential users, many of whom were inorganic chemists, to test the site following a usability script created based upon the inspection and likely scenarios users might have when operating the site. Results were presented to the VIPEr usability team to offer them a prioritized list of improvements for them to implement right away, or in the next version of their website.

For this project, I used my good eye for usability problems and my consulting skills working with faculty members and other academics to create a plan for improving their already very helpful website.

Michael Gough
mbgough@gmail.com