This artifact presents a usability report analyzing the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General homepage. The project involved conducting a usability test with diverse users, synthesizing findings, and creating actionable recommendations to improve the website’s functionality and accessibility. Originally completed for a Principles of Technical Communication class, this report was later refined in my Design class to improve its visual presentation.
Background
The goals of the project included:
- Conducting a usability test to evaluate the effectiveness of a government website.
- Identifying areas of strength and weakness in design, accessibility, and user experience.
- Providing actionable recommendations for improvement based on user feedback.
The deliverable was a professionally formatted usability report and presentation, refined in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for clarity and visual appeal.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this project were:
- To evaluate the usability of the website’s homepage using structured methodologies.
- To synthesize findings into a clear and concise report for stakeholders.
- To propose recommendations to address usability challenges and enhance accessibility.
Outcome
The project achieved the following results:
- A detailed usability report identifying key strengths (modern design, clear navigation) and weaknesses (unclear purpose, mobile accessibility issues).
- Actionable recommendations to improve the website’s user experience, such as resizing images for mobile devices and clarifying the site’s purpose.
- A polished, professional report and presentation, incorporating user feedback and design principles.
Approach
The usability test utilized two methods: moderated think-aloud protocol and product reaction statements. Four participants of varying ages and experience levels were recruited to evaluate the website’s homepage. The test involved a “home page scroll,” where participants provided immediate reactions to the website’s layout, functionality, and purpose.
Findings were categorized into areas of strength and weakness, with recommendations tailored to address specific challenges. The report was refined using Microsoft Word for clear structuring and visual hierarchy, and the accompanying presentation was created in PowerPoint for stakeholder engagement. The design refinement in my Design class focused on improving the report’s visual appeal, including layout, typography, and data visualization.
Final Deliverable
The final deliverables were a usability report and presentation in PDF format, optimized for both print and digital distribution.