Agile scale scrum – and user testing your product

At Button, we often work as part of hybrid vendor client teams using an Agile scrum framework. Agile scrum often emphasizes work in cross-functional teams, clear communication, iterative development, and flexibility and adaptation.

It’s the last two things want to talk about in this blog post. Specifically, the role that user testing can play in Agile scrum. 

Before we jump in to the benefits of testing, we want to say that a “tester” – someone who works with users, conducts user testing, or helps evaluate the success of features delivered during a sprint – can actually be anyone on an Agile scrum team. The primary lead could be a dedicated Service Designer, UX designer, or the testing role could be divided up between team members. Scrum teams are self-organizing, which means that every team has the flexibility to choose what is right for them!

Second, we want to clarify the different between “user testing” and “usability testing”, which are related by unique concepts:

• User testing is focused on understanding how real users interact with the product, including their behaviors, preferences, and feedback on features. It aims to gather insights into the overall user experience and validate that the product meets user needs.‍
• Usability testing is specifically aimed at evaluating how easy and intuitive the product is to use. It focuses on identifying any usability issues that might hinder the user’s ability to effectively interact with the product.

Without further ado, here are some of the key benefits that may make you want to consider increased integration of testing practices into your sprint process: 

1. Early Feedback

• User Testing: Involves real users interacting with the product or prototype to provide feedback on functionality, design, and overall experience. This feedback helps identify issues early before they become more ingrained or costly to fix.
• Benefit: Allows teams to catch and address problems early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of costly changes later.

2. Improved User Experience

• Usability Testing: Focuses on how easy and intuitive the product is to use. It examines factors such as navigation, accessibility, and task completion.
• Benefit: Helps ensure the product is user-friendly, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement. This focus on usability helps prevent frustrating experiences that could drive users away.

3. Informed Decision-Making

• User Testing: Provides data on user preferences, behaviors, and pain points.
• Benefit: Empowers the team to make informed decisions about design and functionality based on actual user input, rather than assumptions or guesswork.

4. Reduced Risk of Rework

• Usability Testing: Identifies usability issues and design flaws early in the development process.
• Benefit: Reduces the likelihood of major revisions later on, saving time and resources. Fixing issues early is generally less expensive than making changes post-launch.

5. Alignment with User Needs

• User Testing: Ensures that the product features and functionalities align with real user needs and expectations.
• Benefit: Increases the likelihood that the final product will be well-received by the target audience and meet their needs effectively.

6. Continuous Improvement

• Agile Integration: User and usability testing fit seamlessly into Agile’s iterative approach. Feedback from testing can be incorporated into the next sprint’s planning and execution.
• Benefit: Facilitates a cycle of continuous improvement, where each sprint incorporates user feedback to enhance the product progressively.

7. Enhanced Stakeholder Confidence

• User Testing: Demonstrates a commitment to user-centered design and shows stakeholders that the product is being developed with actual user input in mind.
• Benefit: Builds confidence among stakeholders and users by validating that the product meets their needs and expectations.

8. Identification of Hidden Issues

• Usability Testing: Can reveal hidden problems or areas of confusion that might not be apparent to the development team.
• Benefit: Addresses issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, leading to a more polished and user-friendly product.

9. Prioritization of Features

• User Feedback: Helps prioritize features and functionalities based on what users find most valuable or problematic.
• Benefit: Ensures that the development team focuses on features that have the greatest impact on user satisfaction and product success.

Have a digital product in development where you’d like to up your testing game? Feel free to reach out!