|
 |
 |
 |
Test & Refine |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Automated Usability Test Environment (UTE) Tool
- What is the automated Usability Testing Environment (UTE) Tool?
- What specifically does UTE do?
- Do I have to be a usability expert to use UTE?
- Do I have to be an information technology (IT) expert to use UTE?
- Are there any special technical requirements needed to download UTE?
- Where is the test data collected during testing stored?
- Does UTE collect the audio and video in the usability test?
- Can federal agencies also get the Morae software free of charge?
- Who developed UTE?
- What federal agencies are using UTE?
- Is there training available on using UTE?
- Is UTE available in other languages?
- How much does UTE cost?
- Is there a maintenance and support plan for UTE?
- How do I get a copy of the UTE software?
- If I'm not a federal employee, can I download UTE free?
- May contractors doing work for the federal government download UTE free?
- Who do I contact for additional information about UTE?
What is the automated Usability Testing Environment (UTE) Tool?
The automated UTE Tool is a Microsoft Windows-based software tool that:
- Automates usability testing of websites and web-based applications
- Reduces overall testing costs and testing time
- Significantly increases accuracy in test data collection and analysis
- Consolidates the usability test planning, test running, and test reporting into one tool.
What specifically does UTE do?
- Provides a software interface for designers, developers, and usability testers to create, administer, and report scenario-based usability tests of websites and applications
- Handles all interactions with test participants, including:
- Demographic questionnaires
- Pre-tests and post-tests
- Usability scenarios
- Performance and preference data
- Records all interactions between the test participant and the user interface
- Automatically generates Microsoft Excel spreadsheets of test data
- Automatically generates usability test reports in Microsoft Word format
Do I have to be a usability expert to use UTE?
UTE was designed for intermediate to advanced usability practitioners. It is important that you understand user-centered design, usability testing methodologies, and usability metrics to fully optimize the tool.
Do I have to be an information technology (IT) expert to use UTE?
No, UTE does not require any programming or IT expertise. It was designed for non-technical staff, and it has undergone usability testing and extensive beta testing to make sure it is easy to use.
Are there any special technical requirements needed to download UTE?
You must have the .NET framework (version 1.1 or higher) on your computer. You can get this free from Microsoft at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Detailed instructions for downloading and installing the .NET framework may be found on the Mind Design Systems website at http://www.mindd.com/Content.aspx?pid=InstallDotNet1.1.
Where is the test data collected during testing stored?
By default UTE test data is stored locally in "My Documents\Bailey Testing Tool" folder on the hard drive of the computer used in testing. However, this is configurable. Test result data may be stored in any folder, including a network folder, which may be written to from the computer used for testing.
Does UTE collect the audio and video in the usability test?
UTE was designed to integrate easily with TechSmith's Morae software that digitally collects the audio and video portions of the usability test making use of an inexpensive web camera. The UTE developers worked closely with TechSmith to be sure that the integration is seamless and easy to use. You can also use other commercially available audio/video software to collect this data.
Can federal agencies also get the Morae software free of charge?
No, you must purchase a separate license from TechSmith. It is also available from Mind Design Systems, the makers of UTE.
Who developed UTE?
UTE was developed by Mind Design Systems, Inc. and Computer Psychology, Inc., in collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
What federal agencies are using UTE?
GSA partnered with several federal agencies to develop UTE. The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) collaborated with GSA in funding the tool, developing its requirements and functionality, and testing the tool.
GSA and the IRS are using the tool extensively. Now that the tool has been extensively tested and is available to all federal agencies, other agencies are beginning to use it.
Is there training available on using UTE?
Yes, GSA regularly provides government web managers training on how to use UTE. To be notified of upcoming training, subscribe to the government web content managers listserve or check the latest schedule of Web Manager University.
Other requests for training on UTE should be sent to Mind Design Systems at UTEinfo@mindd.com or 801-782-5544.
Is UTE available in other languages?
Yes, the Usability Testing Environment Tool is also available in Spanish.
How much does UTE cost?
As a result of the development contract with GSA, the UTE software, through version 2.1, is free to employees of federal agencies when working on federal projects.
Is there a maintenance and support plan for UTE?
Yes. If federal agencies need maintenance and support with the software, the UTE Maintenance and Support Plan for employees of federal agencies is $475 per user per year. A user is an individual employee of a federal agency. Two employees may NOT share the same user license nor may they share a single Maintenance and Support Plan license. The UTE Maintenance and Support Plan includes:
- Free minor updates - Minor updates are the maintenance releases of UTE that correct problems or add minor functionality. They are designated by a change in the less-significant digits of the release number, e.g., 2.1.1.1 to 2.1.1.2 or 2.1.1.1 to 2.2.0.0.
- Free major upgrades - Major upgrades are new releases of UTE with significant enhancements. They are designated by a change in the left-most number in the release number, e.g., 2.x.x.x to 3.x.x.x.
- Free telephone product support - Licensees with a current Maintenance and Support Plan receive free telephone support (maximum 24 hour turn-around) during normal office hours (M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain time) covering such issues as installation, configuration, and basic program usage. (Training and support on UTE usage, usability testing, and other advanced topics are available for a separate fee.)
- Free email support - Licensees with a current Maintenance and Support Plan receive free email support (maximum 24 hour turn-around) during normal office hours (M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain time) covering such issues as installation, configuration, and basic program usage. (Training and support on UTE usage, usability testing, and other advanced topics are available for a separate fee.)
For all others, a UTE license sells for $2,999 per user. (A user is defined as an individual person, not an organization.) The UTE Maintenance and Support Plan is $500 per user per year.
How do I get a copy of the UTE software?
Instructions for federal employees to download, install, and activate UTE are available at http://www.mindd.com/Content.aspx?pid=UTE-Federal.
If I'm not a federal employee, can I download UTE free?
No, the tool, through version 2.1, is available free to US federal government agencies. Others interested in obtaining UTE must purchase it for $2,999. The The UTE Maintenance and Support Plan is $500 per user per year.
May contractors doing work for the federal government download UTE free?
No, UTE is licensed per user. A user is defined as an individual person, not an organization. Each user is assigned a unique registration number that will only work on a single personal computer. Only authenticated employees of US federal agencies may download and use the federal versions of UTE free. All other organizations/individuals should contact Mind Design Systems at UTEinfo@mindd.com to purchase the software.
Who do I contact for additional information about UTE?
Federal agencies: Nicole Burton, GSA, 202-219-0820 or nicole.burton@gsa.gov
Others: Kent Bailey, Mind Design Systems, Inc., 801-782-5544 or UTEinfo@mindd.com