Fitness Tracker | Usability Research Study
Evaluating the usability, gaps, and opportunities for a fitness tracker user interface.
UX Researcher | 5 Weeks | Evaluative Research | 2021
Business Needs
This evaluative user research project aimed to evaluate and uncover pain points for a wearable fitness tracker. My research analyzed the tracker experience and key app features for users while providing design recommendations and aiding in prioritization efforts prior to launch.
Process
1. Identify Appropriate Research Methodology (Usability Testing)
- Worked within a team to understand previous versions of the device, assess constraints for launch, and key research objectives.
2. Create Interview Protocol
- Strategized 75-minute interview protocols for 15 participants (for 12 to show), which included sending participants wrist bands to attach to their phones to, mimicking a wrist wearable device.
3. Recruit Participants
- Drafted a recruitment screener with segmented criteria to capture a mix of athletic abilities. Screened for those able to physically use their hands and participate in an active scenario, and 3 of 12 smartwatch or fitness tracker users.
- Collaborated with the recruitment team to schedule 15 participants over 5 session days.
4. Conduct IDIs
- Held 14 75-minute sessions with participants of varying athletic ability.
- Led participants through a technical setup with a Principle Mirror prototype and a series of tasks: 1. Data (Activity, Sleep, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate), 2. Exercise (Walk), 3. Tools (Alarms, Stopwatch, Calendar, Weather), 4. Settings (Watch Face, Do not Disturb, Night Mode, Haptics), and 5. Events (Calendar).
- Observed and probed the following areas within each section: 1. Task success rate and findability of features, 2. Ease of use, 3. Navigational elements, 4. Design and layout, Legibility of text, and 5. Areas for improvement.
Analysis and Outcomes
- Synthesized and presented high-level findings and emerging themes in a Topline Report based on my initial impressions and observations one-day after the final interview session.
- Created a 22-page Final Report with deeper insights, scope and severity, quotes, and recommendations 5-days after the final interview session.
- Crafted 4 video highlight clips to visually articulate insights and capture key participant quotes for pain points (e.g., expectation, navigation), user satisfaction and delight, and legibility.
- Presented the final deck to 7 stakeholders during a 1-hour walkthrough of key research insights, task completion rates, SEQ ratings, and design recommendations.
