For each of our LIEF projects, we’ve incorporated user testing into the development plan\u00a0to ensure that the changes we make to DAAO\u00a0are useful and user friendly. In the past we’ve used a range of user-testing methods including\u00a0controlled\u00a0one-on-one testing sessions\u00a0and\u00a0open calls for feedback from regular site\u00a0users.<\/p>\n
This year we decided to do something a little bit different with our user testing and\u00a0it worked a treat!<\/p>\n
Gillian ran a series of ‘data salons’ \u00a0(like a data sprint but more relaxing) across the country during the development-heavy phase of the project. \u00a0These salons involved real stakeholders adding real data to the site\u00a0with Gillian’s assistance. \u00a0While participants got their data up\u00a0and published on DAAO, we got the benefit of hearing their questions and observations:\u00a0\u00a0we tested DAAO’s\u00a0schema with a broad range of real data; we saw how DAAO was supporting research needs and what we needed to do to respond to user expectations; and of course the cherry on the cake was that participants added rich content to the site and have become part of the DAAO community.<\/p>\n