RITE testing (Rapid Iterative Testing and Evaluation) is one of our preferred methods of usability research and allows us to quickly answer:
What is working?
What is not working?
With this method, we work with a small subset of participants using an initial design to help us understand quickly what works and what doesn’t. The design is then updated based on this feedback and is put to the test again the next day - or even in the next session while we continue the cycle of testing and improvement to arrive at a better, more user-friendly design.
Simplified RITE workflow (over one week of testing):
As this method is powerful and things move so quickly, there are some important considerations to consider:
RITE Cautions
Because design decisions are being made quickly using smaller datasets, RITE projects must be entrusted to an extremely attuned and seasoned UX Researcher. Otherwise, incorrect deductions and decisions can have outsized downstream consequences.
Viewed in sum, several ongoing iterations of RITE testing can establish a foundational basis of research evidence, but one round of testing does not.
When not to use RITE
RITE is not an advisable method, when:
There is no foundational research/market evidence from which to create the initial designs, i.e. iterating on an idea that no one really wants or needs or there’s no hypothesis to test against and one wishes to test to “prove” it works.
Because the research cycles are short (3 or 4 people at a time), it can be challenging to extrapolate trends/patterns from the data. This is especially salient when the design is in or near a production state, where we look for more data points in order to feel confident before shipping. This is also true when trying to understand the holistic, comprehensive experience.
Want to know more about RITE Testing and if it’s right for your project? Get in touch and let’s talk!