USABILITY REPORT

Submitted by: Catherine Gibson

INTRODUCTION
Instructions were written outlining the steps to creating a
Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that included animated
graphics, sound effects, music and colorful slides with eyecatching transition. The instructional packet included a short
PowerPoint presentation, entitled George in the Big Apple, and a
questionnaire along with the written instructions in PDF format.
The instructions included subheadings, directional arrows, bold,
colored text, and numerous graphics to help facilitate ease of use
and to enhance usability. The instructions were designed with
thoroughness and simplicity, so that even an inexperienced
PowerPoint user would have success in completing the task.
THE TEST
To test the effectiveness of the instructions and to measure the
success of the testers, a questionnaire consisting of eleven open
and closed ended questions were provided as part of the
instructional packet. The respondents were asked:
1. Did you complete the task of creating an animated
PowerPoint presentation?
2. How long did it take you to complete the task?
3. Were the instructions clear and easy to follow?
4. What is your experience level with PowerPoint?
5. Based upon your experience with Microsoft PowerPoint,
how easy or difficult was this task? Did you have to ask for
assistance?
6. What was easiest about the task? What was the most
difficult aspect of this experience?
7. What skills or abilities with PowerPoint did you gain from
this task that you did not already have?
8. How practical was this exercise? Will you use the
knowledge gained from this experience again in the
future?
9. Explain how the instructions might be improved to make
the task easier?
10. How helpful were the graphics? Did they help provide
clarity?
11. Please provide any additional comments, questions or
suggestions that might help the tester to improve the
instructions and the exercise.

THE TESTERS
Four testers were recruited for the usability test, each having prior experience with the presentation
software. Their skill levels ranged from intermediate to advanced, and the completion times varied from
as brief as 20 minutes to a lengthy 3 hours for one respondent. All testers had some college education,
with most possessing at least a bachelors degree or better. Each respondent was able to complete the
task, and only two required minimal assistance, at best. Moreover, each respondent reported gaining a
new skill or ability in PowerPoint that they could apply to future tasks.

Kenda This tester completed the presentation in the least amount of time, using a slim 20
minutes. She is the most experienced with the software and found most of the steps very simple.
She reported a positive overall experience and appreciated learning to work with animation.
Kristen This tester devoted three hours to her presentation and returned a very colorful and lively
production. She rated her skills from beginner to the intermediate level. Transitioning the slides
proved most challenging, but this tester learned to expertly edit and animate graphics.
Megan This tester expressed the most frustration with the written instructions, and, in some
cases, the graphics seemingly failed to provide the assistance this respondent needed. Inserting
the music files proved challenging, in addition to working with pictures and backgrounds.
Surprisingly, this tester, who reported the only negative responses, teaches basic PowerPoint
skills to public library customers. Fortunately, she acquired new skills she believes will aid her in
teaching future classes. She rates her experience with the software as intermediate.
Meghan This tester was challenged because her version of MS PowerPoint 2010 was installed
on a Macintosh computer. This difference presented some compatibility issues with the
instructions and the graphics which were provided. This difference, however, did not impede
progress, and the respondent was able to complete the task in approximately an hour. This
respondent reported that editing graphics and converting music files were the simplest tasks, in
addition to being newly acquired skills for her.

REVISIONS
A review of the written instructions revealed an error with the steps to music file conversion, and
respondents highlighted areas where revision was necessary, as well.
1. The convert button was described in the instructions as green, while the actual color is yellow.
This error should be corrected, although it did not cause a problem for the testers.
2. One respondent had difficulty with the music file converter while using Internet Explorer. A switch
to the Mozilla Firefox browser provided a swift solution to this minor issue. This should be noted in
the instructions, as it is essential for successful music file conversion.
3. One tester used an Apple Macintosh version of PowerPoint, and encountered some frustrations
and challenges due to the differences in the screen layout. Thusly, the instructions provided did
not match the version she used. It should be clearly stated that these instructions are for MS
PowerPoint 2010 for Windows, and that Mac users may notice differences in screen layout. Also,
this same tester suggested that a different version of the instructions should be provided for
users of Mac computers.
4. The steps to remove the background of graphics should involve two additional options, which are
essential for more detailed editing.
5. More detailed instructions are needed to enable smooth slide transition. One tester needed
assistance with timing the transition of slides, and this information should be provided.
6. More bolded or colored fonts are needed to highlight various steps in the instructions.

FINDINGS
While some testers reported completing the entire task in times of 20 to 30 minutes, the brevity of
these completion times raises doubts and suspicion, especially since these testers did not provide
evidence of their work, but provided a completed questionnaire only. It is also worth noting that the more
familiar some users are with PowerPoint, the more apt they are to ignore the instructions and complete
the task based upon their former knowledge and experience. In some instances, prior knowledge impedes
further learning, since the user fails to read the instructions completely, and thus misses important
information unknown to them. Each new version of Microsoft software contains features not found in
previous versions. Users should be aware and open to familiarizing themselves with these new features.
Because instructions werent read as thoroughly as they should have been, an educational opportunity
was missed with this task.
Furthermore, this usability test has proven that written instructions--illustrations included-- albeit provided
with great detail and simplicity, will prove a challenge to at least some users. One user complained about
the written instructions for one step, as they left her quite perplexed and confounded. Yet, graphics with
directional arrows clearly pointed to the tabs and buttons she seemed very challenged to locate. Clearer
instructions and graphics could not have been provided. While one user complained of difficulty with
instructions, another tester responded that the instructions could not have been clearer or more helpful.
Evidently, some people are auditory learners, indeed, who function best with teachers who speak and
instruct with visual cues and examples. All are not independent learners.

CONCLUSION
All testers reported learning, at the very least, some new skills and found this task practical and useful for
future projects and assignments. This test confirms the importance of usability testing in helping to
develop the most user-friendly instructions, products, and services. Usability testing enables the creator
to tweak products to the specificity and practicality of end-users. These instructions would undergo
further editing and revision to ensure their ability to relay a clear and simple way to create eye-catching,
animated presentations, alive with color, sound and visual appeal.