Information Architecture and Search System on the HSE Website — 6. Usability Testing

A comprehensive analysis of the organizational system and search functionality on the Staff & Career page and the Covid-19 information section.
Assessment date: March 2021

Usability testing

Usability testing for the project was conducted with a selected group of participants. A total of 5 participants were invited to take part, and ultimately, 3 users actively participated in the testing sessions. The usability testing sessions were conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility and convenience for both the participants and the facilitator. The testing approach adopted was moderate, ensuring a balance between structured tasks and open-ended exploration to gather valuable insights on the user experience. The XD link containing the design was shared with the participants to facilitate their interaction and feedback during the testing process.

Based on user feedback and suggestions, several insights have been gathered:

1. Users appreciate the grouping of topics on the home page, as it provides a clear and organized structure for accessing information.
2. The inclusion of a Search box at the top of each page has been well-received by users, as it offers a convenient and consistent means of finding specific content.
3. Users have expressed a desire for a Login option in the Main Navigation, providing them with easy access to their personal accounts and relevant features.
4. Feedback indicates that the Staff & Career page is overwhelming in terms of length and the number of links provided, making it challenging for users to locate desired information. Simplifying the page’s structure and enhancing its navigation can significantly improve usability.
5. Logged-in users have indicated a preference to bypass the Create an account option and be automatically logged in upon accessing the website, streamlining their experience.
6. Users have requested the inclusion of a Latest News for Staff section on the Staff & Career page, ensuring that important updates and announcements are readily accessible to employees.

Suggested design changes

Based on user research and usability testing, the following design changes are suggested:

1. Incorporate a Login option in the main navigation to provide easy access to user accounts.
2. Enhance navigation on the Staff & Career page by implementing tabs for smoother transition between categories.
3. Design a separate page for creating new user accounts, while also ensuring a prominent login option in the main navigation.
4. Include a section for Latest Staff News on the Staff & Career page to keep employees informed and engaged.

By implementing these suggested design changes, the HSE website can continue to provide valuable information to its users in an intuitive and accessible manner.

References

Cardello, J. (2014). The Difference Between Information Architecture (IA) and Navigation. Retrieved March 1, 2021, from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ia-vs-navigation/

Cloney, B. (2018). HSE Digital Roadmap: Transforming the online user experience for health. Retrieved March 1, 2021, from https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/communications/digital/blog/hse-digital-roadmap.html

Rosenfeld, L., Morville, P., Arango, J. (2015). Information Architecture. FOR THE WEB AND BEYOND. O’Reilly

Ruzza, M., Tiozzo, B., Mantovani, C., D’Este, F., & Ravarotto, L. (2017). Designing the information architecture of a complex website: A strategy based on news content and faceted classification. International Journal of Information Management, 37(3). Retrieved March 1, 2021, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268401216304030

HSE pages:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/communications/digital/content/voice-tone/tone/tone.html

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/communications/digital/content/voice-tone/

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/communications/digital/content/voice-tone/voice/voice.html