Usability Benchmark

A tightly scripted usability studies are performed with several participants, using precise and predetermined measures of performance - an assessment of the usability of the product. Focused on understanding the current state of the usability.

Research Details

Research Type Sample Size Suggested Time
Quantitative, Behavioral, Summative Large (20+ participants) 30 minutes

When to Use

  1. To find opportunities to improve upon in future project work.
  2. To understand how design and functional changes impacted the user experience over time.


  1. Determine what you want to learn and how it would be best measured. Its best to focus on truly quantitative measurements, such as the metrics below, though qualitative measurements can be benchmarked as well.
  2. Write the script for the tasks the participant must complete to adequately capture the measurements decided in step 1. Tasks should be goal-oriented and should not lead the user.
  3. Write the post-task survey. Capture some qualitative number measurements but more importantly include and open-ended question with a fill-in response.

Common Quantitative Usability Measurements

Task Guidelines

  2. Repeatable. Create task questions that you can test again in 6 to 12 months.



Templates (if applicable)

  1. Usability Benchmark Observation & Analysis Template

Created by: Joe Steinkamp | Last updated by: Joe Steinkamp