Validation Phase of User Research (Testing and Refining)
Sep 13, 2025
This phase tests design solutions with real users to ensure they meet needs and solve the right problems. Feedback is used to refine and improve the product before launch.
Task Analysis
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Improving task flows and processes. | In-person or remotely. | Break down user workflows into smaller steps and identify pain points. | Analysing a user's steps to complete a purchase and identifying points where they experience frustration. |
Cognitive Walkthrough
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Ensuring usability of task flows. | During product evaluation or design reviews. | Walk through each step of a task from a user’s perspective. | Performing a cognitive walkthrough of an app’s checkout flow to identify potential usability issues. |
Heuristic Evaluation
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Identifying usability issues quickly. | In-house or remotely. | Use Nielsen’s heuristics or other principles to review the interface systematically. | Evaluating a website design using Nielsen’s usability heuristics to spot potential issues. |
Clickstream Analysis
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Understanding navigation paths. | Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Hotjar). | Monitor user journeys and analyse data patterns for optimisations. | Tracking how users navigate through an e-commerce website to identify drop-off points. |
Eye Tracking
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Optimising visual design and hierarchy. | Labs or usability testing setups. | Use eye-tracking software to analyse where users focus and how they navigate. | Using eye-tracking to optimise the placement of key elements on a landing page. |
Wizard of Oz
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Testing advanced features without full implementation. | Controlled testing environments. | Simulate functionality manually while users think it's automated. | Simulating a chatbot’s responses to test user reactions before developing the feature. |
Guerrilla Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Quick feedback in fast-paced projects. | Coffee shops, malls, or casual public settings. | Approach people with quick usability tasks and collect immediate feedback. | Asking strangers in a coffee shop to complete a task on a new app to get fast usability insights. |
A/B Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Comparing design versions for performance. | On live websites or apps. | Split traffic between two designs and measure conversion or engagement rates. | Testing two variations of a homepage layout to see which one results in higher conversion rates. |
5-Second Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Measuring first impressions. | Online testing tools (UsabilityHub). | Show designs for 5 seconds and ask users what they recall or understand. | Showing a landing page for 5 seconds and asking users what the page is about. |
First Click Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Validating navigation flow. | Remote tools or in-person sessions. | Ask users where they would click first to complete a specific task. | Testing which link users would click first on a website to find specific information. |
Tree Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Evaluating site or app structure. | Tools like Treehack or similar. | Test navigation by asking users to find specific items in a simplified menu. | Testing how easily users can locate a product category in an e-commerce site's menu. |
Usability Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Refining the product with real-world feedback. | In-person or remote sessions. | Observe users interacting with your design and identify issues. | Observing users completing tasks on your app to identify usability issues. |
This phase tests design solutions with real users to ensure they meet needs and solve the right problems. Feedback is used to refine and improve the product before launch.
Task Analysis
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Improving task flows and processes. | In-person or remotely. | Break down user workflows into smaller steps and identify pain points. | Analysing a user's steps to complete a purchase and identifying points where they experience frustration. |
Cognitive Walkthrough
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Ensuring usability of task flows. | During product evaluation or design reviews. | Walk through each step of a task from a user’s perspective. | Performing a cognitive walkthrough of an app’s checkout flow to identify potential usability issues. |
Heuristic Evaluation
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Identifying usability issues quickly. | In-house or remotely. | Use Nielsen’s heuristics or other principles to review the interface systematically. | Evaluating a website design using Nielsen’s usability heuristics to spot potential issues. |
Clickstream Analysis
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Understanding navigation paths. | Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Hotjar). | Monitor user journeys and analyse data patterns for optimisations. | Tracking how users navigate through an e-commerce website to identify drop-off points. |
Eye Tracking
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Optimising visual design and hierarchy. | Labs or usability testing setups. | Use eye-tracking software to analyse where users focus and how they navigate. | Using eye-tracking to optimise the placement of key elements on a landing page. |
Wizard of Oz
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Testing advanced features without full implementation. | Controlled testing environments. | Simulate functionality manually while users think it's automated. | Simulating a chatbot’s responses to test user reactions before developing the feature. |
Guerrilla Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Quick feedback in fast-paced projects. | Coffee shops, malls, or casual public settings. | Approach people with quick usability tasks and collect immediate feedback. | Asking strangers in a coffee shop to complete a task on a new app to get fast usability insights. |
A/B Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Comparing design versions for performance. | On live websites or apps. | Split traffic between two designs and measure conversion or engagement rates. | Testing two variations of a homepage layout to see which one results in higher conversion rates. |
5-Second Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Measuring first impressions. | Online testing tools (UsabilityHub). | Show designs for 5 seconds and ask users what they recall or understand. | Showing a landing page for 5 seconds and asking users what the page is about. |
First Click Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Validating navigation flow. | Remote tools or in-person sessions. | Ask users where they would click first to complete a specific task. | Testing which link users would click first on a website to find specific information. |
Tree Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Evaluating site or app structure. | Tools like Treehack or similar. | Test navigation by asking users to find specific items in a simplified menu. | Testing how easily users can locate a product category in an e-commerce site's menu. |
Usability Testing
When | Where | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Refining the product with real-world feedback. | In-person or remote sessions. | Observe users interacting with your design and identify issues. | Observing users completing tasks on your app to identify usability issues. |