...
- The user expressed uncertainty about the "daily averages" heading in the "usage" view. He was unsure whether the values in the table were the averages for the current day, or the averages from each day across the current month.
- Like user 1, user 3 immediately chose the "device list" view when looking for the device that consumed the most power.
- Also like user 1, user 3 expected to be able to schedule a power transaction from the "storage" view. When he found this was not possible, however, he quickly tried the "grid" view and completed the task.
Round 2
User 4
asdf
User 5
asdf
User 6
...
- The user was able to complete task 1 with just a glance at the monthly graph, making use of the display of exact y-values that we added between rounds.
- Intuitively, the user knew how to interact with the graph using gestures (tap, swipe, pinch).
- During task 2, the user scanned the tree view, rather than the list view, to find the device with the greatest usage. He mentioned not understanding the difference between the tree and list views.
- When changing the settings, the user forgot to click the save button.
- The user correctly used the checkboxes to update which devices were shown in the graph. Afterwards, he asked questions about what he could expect to appear when other boxes were checked. His questions indicated that he had the correct mental model for what the checkboxes did, but he was uncertain whether this was correct.
- When scheduling a transaction in task 3, the user pressed the "sell power" button directly from the "storage" view.
User 5
- The user asked questions about the relationship between the graph and table data. Again, his questions indicated that he had the right mental model, but was uncertain whether it was in line with what was being displayed by the application.
- The user appeared not to understand the purpose of the tree view. He wanted to be able to click the headers in this view to sort the data, not realizing that this was the purpose of the list view.
- The user understood how to use the checkboxes to update the graph, but painstakingly unchecked the boxes next to each device except for the air conditioner. He did not use the shortcut of unchecking the box next to "all devices," then checking the air conditioner's box.
User 6
- This user was the first to notice and use the shortcuts for current usage, storage, and price on each tab.
- Like several other participants, user 6 was confused about the difference between the list and tree views.
- In completing task 2, the user went to the yearly view to find the data, but did not uncheck the boxes to view just the usage of the air conditioner. She looked carefully at the data, and even tried to provide an explanation for the pattern, without noticing that she was viewing the total yearly usage.
- The user commented that the application provided an amount of data that looked "intimidating" at first glance, but which was easy to decipher upon closer examination. She also mentioned liking the tabbed view. Despite her sense of familiarity with the application, however, she said that she did not know what to expect under the "grid" tab.
Prototype Iteration
Between Rounds 1 and 2
...
The user feedback from round 2 gave us additional ideas about modifications we could make to future iterations of our prototype.
- clearer labeling for "grid" tab
- clearer labeling for tree vs. list--better information scent
- warnings when leaving a page without saving
- check/uncheck all
- greater visibility of tab shortcuts
| Round 1 | Round 2 |
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Device tree tab selected |
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In round 2 we added a "sell power" button to each device. |
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Transaction scheduling |
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Monthly view |
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Other | | |
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