Two New Tools for Quick Usability Testing

In a previous entry, I discussed the need for better UX design tools. Now, from the makers of OptimalSort, come two new tools for testing the usability of your IA and interface design.

Treejack

1. You input a sitemap in the form of a hierarchically structured list and assign tasks for test participants to perform.
2. Participants navigate through the sitemap and select the label they think would be most helpful to them in completing the given task.
3. Treejack reports test results for speed, accuracy, and directness.

At first glance, this is an incredibly useful tool. At this point, I can only think of one way to improve it: allow participants to end the task on items at any level in the hierarchy. Right now participants can only select items at the deepest hierarchical level as places where they would find the information to complete the given task.

Chalkmark

1. You upload screenshots of your interface and assign tasks for test participants to perform.
2. Participants click whatever part of the image they think will help them accomplish the given task most directly. Clicking the image ends the task.
3. Chalkmark reports test results in the form of heat maps with percentages for each cluster.

This is almost an exact representation of what I was suggesting before for potential modifications to the Five Second Test. So now we have both first-impression tests and task-based tests for interfaces. Hurrah!

These are two excellent additions to usability professionals’ arsenal of tools and techniques. I’m eager to see how the OptimalWorkshop suite expands in the future.

Have you used either of these tools for actual testing? How did that work out? Do you know of a similar tool for administering quick usability tests? Please share your thoughts below.