National Curriculum
The QCA needed to further develop the curriculum.qca.org.uk site, in order to incorporate additional resources and to further enhance the user’s access to information.
The Project
The key issue with the revised design was to ensure that that it remained intuitive and easy to use and did not impact the user’s ability to locate important statutory information. In addition to assessing the usability of this new site, the QCA wanted to conduct a study of three of their other sites in order to further understand their user’s needs and behaviours.
Solution
We lead the user research on this project, working with both the development agency, Reading Room, and internal teams within the QCA. We used a range of usability review methods during the course of the project, including both qualitative and quantitative techniques:
- Online surveys – in depth quantitative analysis of user demographics and behaviours
- Remote testing – qualitative study with a range of users, conducted remotely and reviewing two separate sites: www.nc.uk.net and www.ncaction.org.uk
- Lab based research – full usability lab with existing users of curriculum.qca.org.uk, obtaining feedback on their site experience as well as assessing their navigation experience of the prototype
- Accessibility review – review of the prototype with a visually impaired users as well as a review by our own in-house accessibility experts to advice on W3C compliance
Outcome
This comprehensive approach to usability research provided the QCA with both understanding of their site’s users and actionable recommendations for further development and change. Prior to this research the web team had only a limited understanding of who their users were and most importantly, how they used the information available to them on site. Our research provided valuable insight into important taxonomy, navigation and content issues which, when corrected, will further improve the overall success and user experience of all QCA sites.
COI, Research
Accessibility review, Lab Research, Online surveys, Remote research
National Express Portal
National Express is the UK’s leading travel provider, with over 1 billion journeys made every year on its bus, train, light rail and express coach and airport operations. we are:london was appointed to deliver an engaging and interactive website that streamlined the various travel services that National Express operates.
The Project
The National Express group operates a number of travel services and companies and wanted a web portal that combined all of the services under a unified branded portal so that customers could plan their journeys more effectively and efficiently. we are:london recommended the following services:
- User Centred Design – through our proven methodology, detailed site maps and high level wireframes are produced to define the information architecture and navigation of the application. Interactive prototypes are tested thoroughly to ensure the end product is fully functional.
- Remote Testing - remote user testing allows you to connect with geographically dispersed users over the Internet, providing you with a rich insight into the key usability issues.
Outcome
The final version was developed to high fidelity and tested through lab based research to refine the layout, content and services. Changes to the site build were implemented and the brand was developed with National Express and CHI&Partners to meet portal requirements. The site was successfully delivered on time and to budget. An ongoing review process is in place along with continued multivariate testing.
Design, National Express, Research, Strategy
Remote research, user centred design
Deloitte Global Careers
The Deloitte Global Careers website receives over 55,000 unique visitors each month. Applications can only be made online so to ensure they were attracting the very best caliber of applicants, it was crucial that information was easy to find and that all processes were as simple as possible.
The Project
Each country had direct control of both their careers site and the technology used to deliver it. Although many shared the same platform style and structure several were operating with an independent model. Deloitte wanted a uniformed look to each country’s website ensuring a level of consistency in design and usability whilst providing each with flexibility in their information hierarchy.
We undertook the following Usability Research services:
- Lab based testing – Enabling UK and US users to test the site before launch, revealing what is working and what isn’t.
- Remote online testing - Using Keynote for quant / qual research in France, Spain, Holland, Australia and the USA allowing us to connect with geographically dispersed users over the internet, providing a rich insight into the key usability issues.
- Card sort – An effective method of establishing an intuitive nomenclature strategy to ensure that content is labeled in the language of your users.
- Accessibility compliance – Making sure the site is accessible to everyone.
- Project management – Working with multiple stakeholders to ensure all parties’ commercial requirements are defined & delivered using a seamless and unified methodology.
- User centred design – Through our proven methodology, detailed site maps and high level wireframes are produced to define the information architecture and navigation of the application. Interactive prototypes are tested thoroughly to ensure the end product is fully functional.
Outcome
Within months of the launch the new the award winning global site template had been adopted by over 85% of their main country practices and saw a 30% increase in qualified users year on year.
Deloitte, Design, Research, Strategy
information architecture, Lab Research, Remote research
