Even if you’ve finalized test objectives with your development team, re-read About Face by Alan Cooper &  rehearse in front of your goldfish. You may still feel like you’re forgetting something. Don’t worry! Here are 9 tips to ensure you get the most out of your first usability test.

1. Print out a Script

Stick to your printed script but don't be afraid to improvise

No need to commit the entire test to memory. Even seasoned professionals bring scripts to ensure they meet all the legal requirements and hit all the testing objectives. Your script doesn’t necessarily need to be a line-for-line print out. If you read directly off the page, you’ll sound like a robot. If you have no plan at all, it will seem like you are ‘winging’ the whole test. Your tests will vary, but here are some items you should include:

• Welcome participant
• Brief user on the testing format
• Read over any non-disclosure & confidentiality agreements and have user sign them
• Test prototypes
• Ask wrap-up questions
• Thank participant
• Give user their incentive ($, gift certificate, etc.)
• Thank them again

2. Bring a Notebook & Pencil

I recommend taking notes the old fashion way: paper and pencil.

• It ’s awkward to take notes & test software simultaneously on the same computer.
• Two computers are awkward
• Taking notes via BlackBerry or iPhone can be distracting. You may find yourself inadvertently staring at your mobile device screen instead of watching your user

3. Relax & Be Yourself

There's a fine line between 'relaxed' and 'too relaxed'

This sounds like first-date advice, but it’s important that both parties are relaxed. So be yourself. By being yourself, I don’t mean you should put your feet on the table and perform your best Andrew Dice Clay impersonation. Act professional, but remember to be human. You can even start off with some small talk about the weather. The point is to build rapport so the user will be willing to open up and give useful feedback.

4. Reminder: “You Won’t Be Graded”

I find it’s important to reiterate that we’re testing the software, not the user. This statement encourages the user to perform tasks naturally and not the way they ‘think it should be done’.

5. Play Good Cop, Bad Cop

Go ahead & criticize our software. We won't slam your head against the table. Honest!

Express empathy and tell the user you’re “working on their side” to make their life easier.  Some testers may curb their criticisms because they fear they will “hurt your feelings” if they think you’ve worked on building a program.  Whether it’s true or not, you may want to tell the user you’re testing the “other programmer’s” work.  Encourage the tester to be brutally honest.

6. Encourage the User to “Talk Out Loud”

Encourage the user to narrate their actions, vocalizing the motivation behind their clicks. At first, the user may find talking out loud awkward or even a little humorous- And that’s ok! I have found that once you give testers permission to express their ideas, they become very passionate. So let them talk..

7. But keep them on task

Keep Your User Focused

Sometimes the user will stray far off course. Their rant may lead to insights you never considered. However, use good judgment and bring the user test back on course if you feel its been derailed for too long.

8. Keep Track of Time

Believe it or not, research time can fly by quickly. You have a live user with you! Make the most of this opportunity before you report your findings the development team. Also, remember that you compensated your user for a specific amount of time.

9. Thank them

We pay our testers by the pound. Sorta like..Tuna

Thank your user and give them their money!